Arousal

• Arousal


  An energized state, degree of readiness to perform, a drive to achieve
• Arousal


  • Important to give competitors some degree of drive
  • The right amount of arousal can increase performance greatly
  • Too much arousal can cause problems in sport
• As arousal increases


  Performance increases
• Linear Relationship


  Between arousal and performance
• Increased arousal

  Increased chance of the dominant response showing
• Inverted U theory

  As arousal increases, performance increases to an optimal point, then performance slowly decreases
• Zone of Optimal Functioning

  Unique level of arousal for each athlete
• Factors affecting optimal arousal level

  • Skill level
  • Personality
  • Task
• Inverted U theory

  1. Draw an Inverted U

  2. Consider novice vs expert, simple vs complex, introvert vs extrovert, gross vs fine
• Sporting examples for Inverted U

  • Explain why the level of arousal is optimal for each example
• Drive theory

  As arousal increases, the dominant response is more likely to occur
• High arousal

  Less information is processed, performer concentrates on dominant response
• Experts vs beginners

  For experts, dominant response is usually correct so performance remains high. For beginners, dominant response may not be correct so performance is impaired
• Complex skills

  Performance impaired at high arousal as important cues may be missed
• Simple skills


  Can be performed well at high levels of arousal
• Catastrophe theory


  As arousal increases, performance increases to an optimal point, then performance shoots down immediately after
• Somatic anxiety


  Physiological (muscular tension and increased heart rate)
• Cognitive anxiety


  Psychological (loss of concentration and worries about performance)
• Zone of Optimum Functioning


  Athletes perform best in a zone of arousal, not a specific point (inverted U)
• Zone of Optimum Functioning


  • Reached by advanced cognitive techniques like mental practice, relaxation, visualisation and self-talk
  • Performer feels in total control, calm under pressure, and performance flows effortlessly
• Athlete arousal zones


  • Athlete A - low arousal
  • Athlete B - moderate arousal
  • Athlete C - high arousal
• Peak Flow Experience


  • Totally focused on task
  • Clear Goals
  • Effortless movement
  • High levels of self-efficacy
• Peak flow is the ultimate intrinsic experience
• Factors affecting peak flow experience

  • Poor mental prep and failure to reach optimal arousal levels
  • Environmental influences
  • Effect of injury or fatigue
• Super seven


  • Define arousal
  • Explain why arousal is important for sports performers
  • How under and over-arousal negatively impact performance
  • Explain Drive theory
  • Explain Inverted U theory
  • Explain Catastrophe theory
  • Explain Zone of Optimum Functioning
• Increased arousal means an increased chance of the dominant response showing
• A performer with well-practiced habits is likely to perform well with high arousal
• Optimum level of arousal varies depending on the skill level, personality, and task being undertaken
• Novice performers would probably be best performing at a low level of arousal because they are unlikely to be able to cope with high pressure situations
• Experts can deal with high arousal as their dominant response is usually correct
• Complex skills are impaired at high arousal as important cues may be missed
• Simple skills can be performed well at high levels of arousal
• Catastrophe theory suggests that increased arousal causes performance to peak at an optimal level, but rather than a gradual deterioration, there is a sudden dramatic reduction in performance
• Hanin's Zone of Optimum Functioning suggests that athletes perform best in a zone of arousal, not a specific point
• The peak flow experience is the ultimate intrinsic experience for sports performers
• Factors affecting the peak flow experience include poor mental preparation, environmental influences, and the effects of injury or fatigue