Stress Management Flashcards
Define stress
A negative response of the body to a threat causing anxiety
Define eustress
A positive response of the body to a threat
Define stressor
The cause of stress in sport
Examples of stressors
- injury
- important match
- playing good opponents
- fear of failure
What are the two negative responses to stress?
Cognitive - psychological
Somatic - physiological
Cognitive stress management techniques
1. Though stopping
2. Positive self talk
3. Imagery
4. Visualisation
5. Mental rehearsal
6. Attentional control and cue utilisation
What’s thought stopping?
When negative thoughts occur, the performer uses a leaned action/trigger to remove them.
What’s positive self talk?
Performer replaces negative thoughts with positive ones.
How does imagery reduce stress?
Performers imagine a calm place to use as a mental escape from the stress.
How does visualisation reduce stress?
Uses a mental image of the skill done successfully in training.
What is mental rehearsal?
Going over the movements of a task in the mind before the action.
Define cue utilisation
The ability to process information is directly linked to the level of arousal.
What are the 4 styles of attention? (Niddefer)
1. Broad - where a number of cues can be identified
2. Narrow - when it’s best to focus on one cue
3. External - information is drawn from the environment
4. Internal - information is used from within the performer
Somatic stress management techniques
1. Biofeedback
2. Progressive muscle relaxation
3. Centring
What’s biofeedback?
Uses a measuring device to help the athlete recognise the physical changes that will happen under stress.