C15 - Stress Management

Question 1

Define Stress?

Answer 1

Stress is a negative response of the body to a threat causing anxiety.
- We need stress to achieve well, no stress can be as bad

Question 2

Define Eustress?

Answer 2

A positive response of the body to a threat

Question 3

Name cognitive effects of stress?

Answer 3

Cognitive = psychological

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Aggression
• Irrational thoughts

Question 4

Name somatic effects of stress?

Answer 4

Somatic = physiological

• Sweating
• Shaking
• Feeling sick
• Increased HR
• Temperature
• Nausea
• Muscular tension

Question 5

Explain a stressor?

Answer 5

The stressor is the cause of stress
- Different for different sports and people

Could include;

• Injury
• Important games
• Very good opponents
• Rewards such as; prize money, contracts
• Fear of failure - watched by significant others, role models, scouts etc

Question 6

Name ways to prevent somatic stress?

Answer 6

• Biofeedback; using device to recognise the physical changes as a result of stress, this can help the performer to recognise when they are stressed and then find ways of calming down
• Progressive muscle relaxation; Alternating between a period of muscle tension and relaxation
• Centering; Breating control whilst relaxing the chest and shoulders using controlled breaths. It takes the tension away from the situation e.g before a penalty in football
• Breathing control; Allows the performer to relax and be less distracted

Question 7

Name ways to prevent cognitive stress?

Answer 7

• Thought stopping; using a trigger to remove unhelpful thoughts
• Positive self talk; replacing negative thoughts about performance with positive ones
• Imagery; recreating a feeling of successful movement
• Visualisation; using a mental image of the skill
• Mental rehearsal; going over the movements in your mind
• Attentional control and cue Utilisation; higher the stress, the less information processed
• Psychological skills training; train to use these methods effectively (ie goal setting, imagery, relaxation)

Question 8

Define due Utilisation?

Answer 8

The ability to process information is directly linked to the level of arousal.

Question 9

Define attentional control?

Answer 9

Changing the focus of attention to detect relevant cues

Question 10

Define attentional narrowing?

Answer 10

Less information is absorbed as stress and arousal increase.

Question 11

Define and explain Niddefer’s model of Attention Focus?

Answer 11

You must choose the right attentional style for the right decision.

• The four style are;
• Broad; Attending to several stimuli with wide vision
• Narrow; Focusing on one or two cues
• Internal; Inner thoughts
• External; Looking at the environment

There are two dimensions;

• How many cues are being focused on = broad or narrow
• Concerned with where the focus is placed = internal or external

Question 12

Define the ‘broad’ (external) factor of Niddefer’s model?

Answer 12

Many cues concerning the environment - fast paced, open game environments
- Positioning of players in the game e.g midfield in soccer

Question 13

Define the ‘broad’ (internal) factor of Niddefer’s model?

Answer 13

Many cues concerning the performer

- E.g analyse and plan tactics. Coaches tactics after watching the game

Question 14

Define the ‘narrow’ (external) factor of Niddefer’s model?

Answer 14

1 or 2 cues concerning the environment - concentrate on specific objects, limited cues.
- Focus on the ball e.g golf ball to hole

Question 15

Define the ‘narrow’ (internal) factor of Niddefer’s model?

Answer 15

1 or 2 cues concerning the performer

- Mental rehearsal of a skill or task e.g the focus at the start of the race