Sports Psychology Year 2

Question 1

What is the definition of stress?

Answer 1

the psychological state produced by perceived physiological and psychological forces acting on our sense of well-being, linked to negative feelings

Question 2

What are the physical responses to stress?

Answer 2

• Hormones released e.g. adrenaline that trigger the fight or flight response
• Increased HR and BP
• Provides extra energy to increase the amount of O2 available to the muscles
• Can increase the risk of health problems e.g. HBP
• Increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes
• Negative effect on readiness to perform

Question 3

What are stressors?

Answer 3

environmental changes that can induce a stress response

Question 4

What is a stress response?

Answer 4

physiological changes that occur as a result of stress

Question 5

What is a stress experience?

Answer 5

the way we perceive a situation

Question 6

What causes stress?

Answer 6

• Competition = puts performers in an evaluative situation
• Conflict with others and themselves
• Frustration = by own inadequacies and external influences we have no control over
• Climate = very hot or very cold
• Fear of being hurt = injury or fatigue