SP- Emotional Control

Question 1

Define arousal

Answer 1

combination of the physiological and psychological excitation that determines the intensity by a person’s behaviour

Question 2

What does the inverted U theory suggest

Answer 2

There is an optimal level of arousal which varies according to personality, task complexity and level of ability

Question 3

Describe how arousal is effected by personality type

Answer 3

a. Introverts have a sensitive RAS so cannot tolerate high levels of arousal
b. Extroverts seek RAS stimulation and perform best under higher levels of arousal

Question 4

Describe how arousal is effected by task complexity

Answer 4

a. Simple, gross tasks (e.g. shot put) requiring little decision making and are performed well with high levels of arousal
b. Complex skills (e.g. pole vault) requiring high levels of concentration and will be performer best at low levels of arousal

Question 5

Describe how arousal is effected by the level of ability

Answer 5

a. Autonomous stage learners need high levels of arousal to perform optimally
b. Cognitive stage learners need low levels of arousal to concentrate on the basic moves

Question 6

Define stress

Answer 6

a state of psychological tension produced by certain perceived physiological and/or psychological pressures facing the performer

Question 7

Give 4 stressors

Answer 7

•	Conflict 
-Between club/school/family pressures
•	Competition
-Trials, nationals etc
•	Frustration
-Loosing, biased umpires
•	Personal
-Naturally anxious, unrealistic expectations 
•	Physiological 
-Extreme weather, injury
•	Audience
-Evaluation

Question 8

What is the name for beneficial stress

Answer 8

Eustress

Question 9

Define anxiety

Answer 9

a negative emotional state associated with feelings of worry and nervousness

Question 10

What are the 4 types of anxiety

Answer 10

Cognitive
Somatic
State
Trait

Question 11

Describe cognitive anxiety

Answer 11

a. Thought component of anxiety associated with worry and concern about capability to achieve a task
b. Worry increases as the performer perceives that the body’s physiological response to stress will have a negative effect on performance

Question 12

Describe somatic anxiety

Answer 12

a. Physiological component of anxiety associated with performers increase in HR and BP

Question 13

Describe state anxiety

Answer 13

a. Moment to moment changes in feelings of nervousness or worry. A temporary emotional state to a situation deemed as threatening
b. E.g. free position in lacrosse

Question 14

Describe trait anxiety

Answer 14

a. General predisposition to perceive situations as threatening. Stable part of personality which determines the degree of state anxiety experienced

Question 15

What is a sport competitive anxiety test

Answer 15

A sport specific test (questionnaire) of trait anxiety which may help coaches to predict the likelihood of athletes suffering from state anxiety in sport.

Question 16

What is the competitive state anxiety inventory

Answer 16

A multidimensional view considering both cognitive and somatic anxiety.

Question 17

What does the competitive state anxiety inventory suggest

Answer 17

Somatic anxiety increases dramatically just prior to performance, but drops when performance starts. Cognitive anxiety builds up over days prior to the event and can fluctuate according to perceptions of success or failure

Question 18

What does optimal functioning suggest

Answer 18

Each individual has a preferred level of state anxiety that results in the best performance. Rather than an optimal point, there is a bandwidth and performance with levels of anxiety within the band will result in optimal functioning

Question 19

Define the peak flow experience

Answer 19

Sometimes the timing of the movements and selection of tactics is perfect and the athlete seems unable to do wrong

Question 20

Give 3 characteristics of the peak flow experience

Answer 20

• Total task concentration
• Clear goals
• Performance feels effortless
• Feeling of being in control
• Performance is automatic

Question 21

What factors have the development of peak flow experience

Answer 21

1. Controlling anxiety to access the performers IZOF
2. Sustaining concentration- best when anxiety is low
3. Attentional styles- identifying one required and match it
4. Improves confidence through correct attribution, early experience and success
5. Improves group dynamics to create a shared sense of purpose
6. Challenging goal setting but still realistic- SMARTER
7. Leadership style matching preferred style
8. Environmental conditions need to be good

Question 22

What are the two types of anxiety management techniques

Answer 22

Cognitive

Somatic

Question 23

What are the 3 types of somatic anxiety management

Answer 23

• Biofeedback
• Progressive muscular relaxation
• Breathing

Question 24

Describe biofeedback

Answer 24

o Being attached to a machine which measures HR, Breathing rate, muscle tension, skin temperature, blood pressure etc
o Through practice, the performer can learn to control these responses and transfer these techniques to the game situation

Question 25

Critically evaluate biofeedback

Answer 25

 It is very effective
 Time consuming to learn
 Requires sophisticated machinery

Question 26

Describe PMR

Answer 26

Performers’ learn to tense and then relax specific muscle groups to develop awareness of what tension feels like to relax in a game

Question 27

Critically evaluate PMR

Answer 27

 With practice, its relatively quick
 Needs a quiet environment
 Can’t be used in isolation

Question 28

Describe breathing

Answer 28

Controlling breathing rate prior to performance to reduce muscular tension and focus the mind

Question 29

Critically evaluate breathing

Answer 29

 Needs practice
 Can be performed during performance
 May help attentional control

Question 30

What are the 4 cognitive techniques for anxiety management

Answer 30

Imagery
Self-talk
Thought stopping
Rational thinking

Question 31

Describe imagery

Answer 31

o External imagery- performer pictures themselves performing task successfully as others would see them
o Internal imagery- performer pictures themselves performing task successfully as they would see the situation themselves

Question 32

Critically evaluate imagery

Answer 32

 Need to be a skilled athlete to benefit from this
 Increases confidence
 Combines psychological and neurological actions so motor neurones fire as though the skill were being completed
 Develops kinaesthetic awareness
 Improves concentration
 Needs to be practices regularly

Question 33

Describe self-talk

Answer 33

Maintaining a positive focus by talking to themselves e.g. I can do it

Question 34

Critically evaluate self-talk

Answer 34

 Important to focus on positive thoughts

 Speaking aloud commits the performer to the task

Question 35

Describe thought stopping

Answer 35

Refusing to allow negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive ones

Question 36

Critically evaluate thought stopping

Answer 36

 Need short cue words to trigger positive thoughts

 Easier for extroverts than introverts

Question 37

Describe rational thinking

Answer 37

o Focusing with an internal narrow attentional style can help to dispel anxiety in some situations e.g. previous success

Question 38

Critically evaluate rational thinking

Answer 38

 Needs athletes to attribute correctly

 Difficult for cognitive performers to evaluate the situation realistically