Psychological Skills

Question 1

How do athletes cope with anxiety

Answer 1

Problem focused coping
Emotion focused coping

Question 2

What are some problem focused coping methods and define it

Answer 2

Efforts to alter the problem that’s causing anxiety/stress
Information gathering
Competition plans
Goal setting
Self talk
Time management

Question 3

What are some emotion focused coping methods and define it

Answer 3

Regulate emotional responses to the problem causing anxiety
Meditation
Relaxation
Wishful thinking
Reappraisal
Mental and behavioural withdrawal

Question 4

How should we match anxiety to coping mechanisms

Answer 4

Cognitive anxiety —> mental relaxation
Somatic anxiety —> physical relaxation

Question 5

Describe progressive muscle relaxation

Answer 5

Contrast between tension and relaxation:
Tense (5sec), release (50% 5sec), release (100% 10/15sec)

Question 6

Describe how breathing can act as an intervention for anxiety

Answer 6

Holding in breath and breathing in increases tension
Breathing out decreases tension

Learning to breathe in high pressure situations is vital

Question 7

How can pressure training act as a coping mechanism for anxiety

Answer 7

If training is demanding (task stress, performer stress, environment stress) then performer learns to cope with high stress environments
+ or - consequence based on performance in training

Question 8

What are three types of self talk

Answer 8

Positive
Instructional
Negative

Question 9

What are organic and strategic self talk methods

Answer 9

Organic: spontaneous + goal directed
Strategic: strategic

Question 10

Define spontaneous self talk

Answer 10

Unintended thoughts that come to mind naturally

Question 11

Define goal directed self talk

Answer 11

Rational response to spontaneous processes

Question 12

Define strategic self talk

Answer 12

Pre determined self talk planing to trigger motivational functions

Question 13

Describe thought stopping

Answer 13

Using a cue or a word to stop the thought
Should not be used as a long term coping mechanism

Question 14

What is imagery

Answer 14

Crafting or recreating experiences in the mind

Question 15

What role does imagery typically have in sport

Answer 15

A pre performance routine
Uses senses to create/imagine using the minds eye
Often paired with mental rehearsal

Question 16

What are the three imagery theories

Answer 16

Psychoneuromuscular
Bioinformational
Symbolic learning

Question 17

Describe the psychoneuromuscular theory

Answer 17

Imagery produces similar neuromuscular acitivity to actual movement
Similar neural pathways used when imagining and actually doing

Question 18

Describe how symbolic learning theory works

Answer 18

Imagery creates a mental blueprint
Enabling rehearsal of cognitive aspects
Mental practice more beneficial for cognitive than motor tasks
Imagery involves the same neural pathways as actual perception

Question 19

Describe the bioinformational theory

Answer 19

An image is a functionally organised set of propositions stored in the brain
Stimulus — response — meaning
Linking these propositions through imagery enhances execution of skill

Question 20

What is a goal

Answer 20

An end state or aim of action

Question 21

How does goal setting theory propose about how goals work

Answer 21

Directs focus away from irrelevant tasks
Energises pursuit of work
Influence persistence through difficulty
Discovery of task relevant strategies

Question 22

How should we set goals

Answer 22

S - specific
M - measurable
A - actioned
R - resourced
T - timed
E - evaluate
R - reset

Question 23

What the three types of goals

Answer 23

Outcome
Performance
Process

Question 24

What’s the benefit of setting performance instead of outcome

Answer 24

Reduces feelings of anxiety and increases performance
Easier to manage and goal doesn’t feel too big