week 6

Question 1

Sports coaching

Answer 1

Sports coaching dates to the 1920s when Dr Coleman Griffith founded the Laboratory for Research in Athletics/ In the 1970s, the field of sports coaching was renewed by tennis coach Timothy Gallwey and his work on how coaches could facilitate peak performance in athletes (Mouton, 2016).

Question 2

Arousal

Answer 2

a generalized physiological and psychological activation of the person with neural excitation varying on a continuum from deep sleep to extreme excitement

Question 3

why regulate arousal?

Answer 3

Athletes/ clients who don’t effectively cope with stress may experience decreases in performance, as well as mental and physical distress/ need to regulate arousal to stay focused and in control

Question 4

peak performance

Answer 4

Privette defined peak performance as “an episode of superior functioning” (1983, p. 1361)/Exceptional performance

Question 5

challenges in aiding performance through arousal regulation

Answer 5

1. Identifying what emotional states are being discussed when individuals refer to arousal
2. Understanding the relationship between arousal and performance
3. Identifying techniques that can be used to regulate one’s arousal levels and achieve the emotional state needed for performance

Question 6

relationship between arousal and performance

Answer 6

People need an optimal level of arousal to experience success/A certain amount of arousal can be a motivator towards change/ A moderate level is often said to be the ideal zone

Question 7

what is the optimal level of arousal for cognitive tasks?

Answer 7

lower levels of arousal for more difficult or intellectual (cognitive) tasks

Question 8

what is the optimal level of arousal for physical tasks / tasks requiring persistence and endurance?

Answer 8

higher for tasks requiring endurance and persistence

Question 9

Inverted U Theory

Answer 9

A theory of arousal that considers that optimal performance occurs when the performer reaches an optimal level of arousal/ Devised by Yerkes and Dodson (1908)

Question 10

IS YERKES-DODSON IN VERTED U ACCURATE?

Answer 10

a cause of the correlation has not yet been fully established (Anderson, Revelle, & Lynch, 1989)/

Question 11

influencing factors

Answer 11

activity type/ level of expertise/ personality

Question 12

influencing factors - activity type

Answer 12

Fine movements & complex skills (which require a large amount of attention) require a lower arousal level, (e.g. putting in golf / snooker shots) - high arousal interferes with fine muscle movement, co- ordination & concentration

Question 13

influencing factors - level of expertise

Answer 13

Beginner = low levels of arousal Expert = high levels of arousal

Question 14

influencing factors - personality

Answer 14

Extroverts are more comfortable at high levels of arousal
Introverts are more comfortable at low levels of arousal

Question 15

criticisms of Inverted U Theory

Answer 15

Original studies were based on small sample sizes with no statistical analysis/ Suggested that It does not view arousal as a multidimensional concept

Question 16

Catastrophe Theory

Answer 16

A theory that predicts a rapid decline in performance resulting from the combination of high cognitive anxiety and increasing physiological arousal/ Devised by Hardy (1990)

Question 17

IZOF, Hanin (1997)

Answer 17

This model includes four groups of emotional states: positive performance enhancing (e.g., feeling energetic), positive performance-impairing (e.g., feeling easy-going), negative performance-enhancing (e.g., tense), and negative performance-impairing (e.g., feeling tired)

Question 18

arousal reduction techniques

Answer 18

1. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
2. Breath control – Used to relax and
   refocus
3. Meditation
4. Biofeedback – Sensors detect raised

Question 19

Arousal promotion techniques

Answer 19

1. Elevated breathing rate – Increases state of awareness in CNS.
2. Act energetic (e.g., get fired up)
3. Listen to music
4. Positive talk and sounds: ‘Talk it Up!’
5. Energising imagery
6. Pre-competition workout

Question 20

cognitive behavioural interventions

Answer 20

target changing thinking patterns alongside physical relaxation and imagery to lower arousal and enhance performance/ Aims to replace negative self-statements and images with positive self- affirmations and images of desired performance

Question 21

Mental imagery

Answer 21

Mental Imagery used by individuals when they imagine themselves performing skills before actually doing them/ sensory experience which occurs in the mind via thought and can strengthen neural pathways

Question 22

concentration

Answer 22

1. focusing on relevant information
2. maintaining attention/ focus over time
3. having awareness of the situation

Question 23

how can concentration be improved?

Answer 23

▪ Practice Simulation
▪ Mental Imagery
▪ Use of cue words
▪ having set routines
▪ Over-learning skills
▪ Focusing on the present

Question 24

Factors leading to a lack of attention

Answer 24

▪ Focus on past experiences
▪ Can’t ‘let things go’
▪ Future orientated thinking
▪ ‘What if’ questions
▪ Focusing on negative aspects of performance

Question 25

UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS OF AROUSAL - Under-aroused

Answer 25

1. Moving slowly.
2. Mind wandering.
3. Lack of concern about performance.
4. Lack of anticipation or enthusiasm.
5. Feeling heavy, no ‘bounce’

Question 26

UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNS OF AROUSAL - Over-aroused

Answer 26

1. Awkward,jerky, uncoordinated movements.
2. Excessive muscle tension.
3. Negative thoughts.
4. High breathing/heart rate.