Stress, arousal, anxiety

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

Stimulus resulting in a positive or negative response to a specific situation
Produces physiological + psychological symptoms

Question 2

2 forms of stress

Answer 2

Eustress
Distress

Question 3

Eustress

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Distress

Answer 4

Negative form of stress
Can cause anxiety + apprehension
Detrimental to sporting performance

Question 5

Effects of stress on performance - eustress

Answer 5

If the athlete perceives the demand as a challenge (eustress) = increased motivation + performance

Question 6

Effects of stress on performance - distress

Answer 6

If the athlete perceives the demand as a threat (distress) = increased worry + reduction in performance

Question 7

Example of effects of stress on performance

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Causes of stress

Answer 8

Internal = lack of sleep, illness
External = environmental factors, other people

Question 9

Arousal

Answer 9

Psychological state of alertness + anticipation that prepares the body for action

Question 10

Arousal example

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Theories of arousal

Answer 11

Drive theory
Inverted u hypothesis
Catastrophe theory
Zone of optimal functioning theory

Question 12

Drive theory

Answer 12

Linear relationship between arousal + performance
As arousal increases so does performance

Question 13

Negatives of drive theory

Answer 13

Only relevant up to a certain point –> athlete can be over-aroused = performance decreases

Question 14

Inverted U hypothesis

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Catastrophe theory

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Negatives of Catastrophe theory

Answer 16

Relies on the need for arousal + cognitive anxiety to achieve optimal performance

Question 17

Zone of optimal functioning theory

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Optimal performance variables that impact upon arousal + individual

Answer 18

Personality
Task
Stage of learning

Question 19

Personality

Answer 19

Extroverts perform best at high levels of arousal
Introverts perform best at low levels of arousal

Question 20

Task

Answer 20

Simple/gross skills are performed better at high levels of arousal
Complex/fine skills are performed better at low levels of arousal

Question 21

Stage of learning

Answer 21

Autonomous performers perform better at high levels of arousal
Cognitive + associative performers perform better at low levels of arousal

Question 22

Effects of arousal on sporting performance

Answer 22

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

Question 23

2 types of anxiety

Answer 23

Trait
State

Question 24

Trait Anxiety

Answer 24

Part of the personality core
Results in consistent worry/behaviour regardless of situation
Innate

Question 25

State Anxiety

Answer 25

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

Question 26

State Anxiety types

Answer 26

Cognitive state anxiety = amount of worry
Somatic state anxiety = physiological changes from perception

Question 27

Effects of anxiety of sporting performance

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Somatic anxiety responses

Answer 28

Increase in heart rate
Sweating
Increased blood pressure
Nausea

Question 29

Cognitive anxiety responses

Answer 29

Worry
Negative thoughts
Poor concentration
Inhibited decision-making

Question 30

Measuring anxiety tests

Answer 30

Marten’s sport competitive anxiety test (SCAT)
Speilberger’s state trait anxiety inventory (STAI)
Competitive state anxiety inventory-2 (CSAI)

Question 31

Cognitive anxiety management techniques

Answer 31

Progressive muscular relaxation
Imagery
Self-talk
Self-confidence

Question 32

Progressive muscular relaxation

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Imagery

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Self-talk

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Self-confidence

Answer 35

Sports psychologists + coaches build up confidence in athletes
Help them develop a feeling of worth + success by focusing on successful aspects of their performances

Question 36

Somatic anxiety management techniques

Answer 36

Biofeedback
Progressive muscular relaxation

Question 37

Biofeedback

Answer 37

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.