Stress Management

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

The trigger that can cause increased arousal or anxiety

Question 2

What are 4 causes of stress? (Can link with inverted U theory in a question)

Answer 2

Frustration - poor form
Meeting a challenge which the performer can’t cope with
Competition - particularly if outcome is important
Conflict - may be teammate, coach, opposition

Question 3

Define frustration

Answer 3

A feeling that a performer is prevented from reaching their goal

Question 4

What are cognitive stress management techniques?

Answer 4

Cognitive methods are related to the thought processes of the performer

Question 5

What are the 7 cognitive stress management techniques?

Answer 5

Positive self talk/thinking 
Negative thought stopping 
Rational thinking 
Mental rehearsal 
Imagery 
Goal setting 
Mindfulness

Question 6

What is positive self talk/thinking?

Answer 6

Believing in your ability and talking to yourself to focus your attention on the task

Question 7

What is negative thought stopping?

Answer 7

Substituting any unhelpful thoughts with positive thoughts

Question 8

What is rational thinking?

Answer 8

Focusing inwardly and on a small number of stimuli, to evaluate the situation

Question 9

What is mental rehearsal?

Answer 9

Picturing/going through physical skills in the mind - creating a mental image of the skill, before performing

Question 10

What is imagery?

Answer 10

Picturing yourself performing the skill successfully

Question 11

What is goal setting?

Answer 11

A focus for achievement - the target that an individual is trying to achieve

Question 12

What is mindfulness?

Answer 12

Focusing on the present moment and ignoring unwanted thoughts

Question 13

What are somatic stress management techniques?

Answer 13

Somatic methods relate to a performer’s physical processes

Question 14

What are 4 somatic stress management techniques?

Answer 14

Progressive muscular relaxation
Biofeedback
Centring technique
Breathing control

Question 15

What is progressive muscular relaxation?

Answer 15

All the main muscle groups are tensed and then gradually released in turn

Question 16

What is biofeedback?

Answer 16

Using electronic instruments to measure the body’s physiological changes as arousal/anxiety increase
By monitoring these changes the performer can control the effects and enter a calmer state

Question 17

What is centring technique?

Answer 17

Drawing focus to the core of the body in a bid to reduce the effects of anxiety

Question 18

What is breathing control?

Answer 18

Consciously controlling the rate and depth of breathing as a way of reducing muscle tension and somatic effects of stress/anxiety