Stress

Question 1

What is stress? Give an example

Answer 1

A negative response of the body to a threat causing anxiety
Eg feelings of apprehension and anxiety during the warm up of a show jumping final

Question 2

What is eustress? Give an example

Answer 2

A positive response of the body to a threat or a challenge once it has been overcome
Eg extreme sports such as sky diving, challenging yourself to jump from a higher height

Question 3

What is a stressor? Give an example

Answer 3

The cause of a stressful response
Eg local derbies

Question 4

What does eustress do to a performer

Answer 4

Makes them want to achieve
Tests their abilities
Provides an adrenaline rush
Heightens emotions
Enhances performance
Gives them intrinsic satisfaction
Boosts confidence

Question 5

What does anxiety and stress do to a performer

Answer 5

Increases arousal
Makes them lose concentration
Creates a feeling of apprehension
Forces attentional narrowing
Decreases performance levels
Creates a fear of failure
Sweating, muscle tension, nausea and increase HR

Question 6

What are some examples of stressors in sport

Answer 6

Frustration
Fear of failure
Nature of crowd
Media pressure
Attitude of coach
Importance of event
Status of opponent
Extrinsic reward
Injury

Question 7

What does somatic stress cause

Answer 7

Increased HR
Increase in sweating
Nausea
Muscular tension

Question 8

What does cognitive stress

Answer 8

Negative thinking
Feeling of inability to cope with the demands of the situation
Loss of concentration- attention narrowing

Question 9

What is attention narrowing? What can this lead to

Answer 9

As arousal increases, the ability to take information or cues from the environment is reduced
This can lead to information being missed and fear of failure and worry being felt by the performer

Question 10

How can a warmup impact/reduces stress

Answer 10

Reduces cognitive and somatic stress
Focuses the performer on the activity
Improves concentration
Controls HR
Reduces muscle tension