MENTAL SKILLS – AROUSAL

Question 1

define arousal

Answer 1

Arousal is the degree of stimulation or alertness present in a individual about to perform a given task.

Question 2

An optimally aroused performer attends only what/

Answer 2

• relevant stimuli
• can shift their attention quickly to meet the demands of the situation

Question 3

An under aroused performer does what?

Answer 3

• lacks the intensity to attend all the relevant stimuli in the environment
• attention is based on irrelevant thoughts

Question 4

An over aroused performer has a what?

Answer 4

• decreased ability to shift their focus
• would have/ normally narrowly internal focused attention

Question 5

The “Inverted U hypothesis” shows what?

Answer 5

the relationship between performance & arousal

Question 6

define anxiety

Answer 6

a negative emotion and it is an individual interpretation of a situation.

Question 7

anxiety results in 3 diff types of responses list and describe them

Answer 7

-Somatic: Increase in heart rate, breathing rate and muscular tension
-Cognitive: Fear of failure, loss of self-esteem, fear of judgment, increased alertness
-Behavioural: Fidgeting, biting fingernails, avoiding eye contact

Question 8

list and describe the 2 types of anxiety

Answer 8

1. State Anxiety
   An immediate emotional state of fear, tension and increased arousal. Can change several times during performance and varies from player to player.
2. Trait Anxiety
   Relates to the personality of the performer and how they perceive the situation – is it a challenge or threat?

Question 9

Strategies to reduce arousal and reach the ‘Zone

list at least 4

Answer 9

-Meditation
-Progressive Muscle Relaxation
-Breathing control
-Biofeedback
-Stress inoculation training
-Autogenic training