Stress, arousal, anxiety Flashcards
Stress
Stimulus resulting in a positive or negative response to a specific situation
Produces physiological + psychological symptoms
2 forms of stress
Eustress
Distress
Eustress
Positive form of stress
Gives a feeling of fulfilment + arousal
Increase focus, attention + skill level
Some athletes seek + need stressful situations to improve sporting performance
Distress
Negative form of stress
Can cause anxiety + apprehension
Detrimental to sporting performance
Effects of stress on performance - eustress
If the athlete perceives the demand as a challenge (eustress) = increased motivation + performance
Effects of stress on performance - distress
If the athlete perceives the demand as a threat (distress) = increased worry + reduction in performance
Example of effects of stress on performance
Netball match = score is tied with ten seconds remaining
Goal shooter awarded a penalty shot (demand placed on her which she will perceive as positive or negative)
If the goal shooter perceives the demand as positive = motivate her to succeed in her performance
BUT if she perceives the demand as negative = her levels of distress will increase –> reducing the chance of her scoring
Causes of stress
Internal = lack of sleep, illness
External = environmental factors, other people
Arousal
Psychological state of alertness + anticipation that prepares the body for action
Arousal example
When a boxer enters the ring for the first time they need to be aroused + motivated to perform
Under-arousal = too relaxed + not motivated to perform
Arousal levels increase= increase in their performance until it reaches optimum level
Boxer starts to make mistakes + performance level starts to decrease = more mistakes made
Too much arousal = performance decreased
Theories of arousal
Drive theory
Inverted u hypothesis
Catastrophe theory
Zone of optimal functioning theory
Drive theory
Linear relationship between arousal + performance
As arousal increases so does performance
Negatives of drive theory
Only relevant up to a certain point –> athlete can be over-aroused = performance decreases
Inverted U hypothesis
There is an optimal level of arousal
Performance levels at their highest at the optimal point of arousal
If arousal is too low or too high = performance levels decrease
Catastrophe theory
Links arousal + anxiety
Athlete is experiencing high levels of cognitive state anxiety = as arousal rises towards the athlete’s threshold –> athlete experiences a dramatic drop in performance
Negatives of Catastrophe theory
Relies on the need for arousal + cognitive anxiety to achieve optimal performance
Zone of optimal functioning theory
The relationship of stress, anxiety + arousal all impact motivation + the improvement of performance up to a point
Individuals perform optimally at different arousal levels depending on factors such as:
- personality
- task
- stage of learning
= not all athletes’ optimal performance is at the top of the inverted U
Optimal performance variables that impact upon arousal + individual
Personality
Task
Stage of learning
Personality
Extroverts perform best at high levels of arousal
Introverts perform best at low levels of arousal
Task
Simple/gross skills are performed better at high levels of arousal
Complex/fine skills are performed better at low levels of arousal
Stage of learning
Autonomous performers perform better at high levels of arousal
Cognitive + associative performers perform better at low levels of arousal
Effects of arousal on sporting performance
If the performer perceives arousal levels to be positive = positive impact on performance (getting in the zone)
If the changes are viewed as negative = increase somatic + cognitive state anxiety
Choking occurs in high-pressure situations + causes extreme nerves + performance catastrophe
2 types of anxiety
Trait
State
Trait Anxiety
Part of the personality core
Results in consistent worry/behaviour regardless of situation
Innate
State Anxiety
Changeable
Varies depending on situation
e.g. if you get nervous before a dance production but not a team game = state anxiety in relation to dance
State Anxiety types
Cognitive state anxiety = amount of worry
Somatic state anxiety = physiological changes from perception
Effects of anxiety of sporting performance
When athletes experiences cognitive state anxiety –> causes poor decision-making + concentration levels to drop = increasing the number of errors made
e.g. athlete missing a vital tackle in the last five minutes of a football match = leads to a goal being scored.
Somatic anxiety responses
Increase in heart rate
Sweating
Increased blood pressure
Nausea
Cognitive anxiety responses
Worry
Negative thoughts
Poor concentration
Inhibited decision-making
Measuring anxiety tests
Marten’s sport competitive anxiety test (SCAT)
Speilberger’s state trait anxiety inventory (STAI)
Competitive state anxiety inventory-2 (CSAI)
Cognitive anxiety management techniques
Progressive muscular relaxation
Imagery
Self-talk
Self-confidence
Progressive muscular relaxation
Removes tension in muscles
Athlete creates tension in all muscle groups at once+ then slowly relaxed in turn
Incorporates breathing control = helps with somatic state anxiety symptoms
Imagery
Allows athletes to increase/decrease arousal/anxiety levels by visualising aspects of previous performances
If psyching up is required = athlete focuses on performances that required high levels of energy + feelings of heightened arousal
If anxiety + stress need to be reduced = athlete focuses on feelings of well-being + positivity
Self-talk
Performer convincing themselves they’re good enough to perform well
e.g. “you can do it”
Under pressure –> e.g. a high jumper thinking that they can’t make the jump on their final attempt = intercept negative thoughts + refocus on positive ones
Self-confidence
Sports psychologists + coaches build up confidence in athletes
Help them develop a feeling of worth + success by focusing on successful aspects of their performances
Somatic anxiety management techniques
Biofeedback
Progressive muscular relaxation
Biofeedback
Monitoring physiological changes in the body as anxiety increases
Changes in heart rate, temperature or sweating can reflect the onset of anxiety
Observing these can help a performer control + reduce anxiety.
