Higher Physical Education Higher Physical Education Mental factors that can affect performance

Mental factors Mental factors are associated directly with cognitive processes within the brain Some mental factors that can affect performance are: Concentration Decision making Level of arousal Problem solving Mental toughness MotivationAnxiety Judgement and evaluation (processing information)

Concentration ‘…concentration is your brain’s ability to focus on what is going on within a performance situation. The brain is able to use all your body’s senses to pick up information about what has to be done.’ ‘…concentration is your brain’s ability to focus on what is going on within a performance situation. The brain is able to use all your body’s senses to pick up information about what has to be done.’ A brain that is trained to concentrate can shut out unimportant distractions and focus completely on what you have to do. A brain that is trained to concentrate can shut out unimportant distractions and focus completely on what you have to do.

Concentration Positive impacts on performance: Good concentration allows you to: Direct focus (e.g. who you have to mark, where the shuttle should be played, where the court lines are) Make fewer mistakes Stay calm in competitive situations Solve problems during pressurised situations Have overall control over your performance

Concentration Negative impacts on performance: A performer who is unable to concentrate will: Find it difficult to compete with their opponent Be affected by a crowd supporting the opposition Find it difficult to carry out role-related duties within a team Be unable to cope well with any mistakes made while performing

Decision Making By being able to make decisions early, we learn to ‘read’ a situation and establish which things are unimportant, less important and very important. This helps us anticipate what might happen and we can begin to think ahead to plan our possible course of action. By being able to make decisions early, we learn to ‘read’ a situation and establish which things are unimportant, less important and very important. This helps us anticipate what might happen and we can begin to think ahead to plan our possible course of action.

Decision Making Decision making within a performance environment means making use of: Decision making within a performance environment means making use of: Our senses (sight, hearing, and kinaesthetic) Our past experiences Our ability to ‘read’ situations and know what needs to be done

Decision Making Positive impacts on performance: Good decision making allows you to: Select and execute the correct skill at the correct time Be in the right place at the right time to execute skill Solve problems in pressurised situations Decision making skills can be developed by remembering/using previous experiences and outcomes and learning from them By being able to do the right thing at the right time in the correct way we are more likely to be successful

Decision Making Negative impacts on performance: A performer without good decision making skills will: Struggle to solve performance based problems Frequently make mistakes during competitive situations Find it difficult to take advantage of an opponent –Missing performance cues –Lack of anticipation (not considering what they might do) –Unable to exploit weaknesses

Level of arousal Level of arousal relates to your attitude to performing. It is linked to you ‘readiness’ and motivation or drive to perform. “…we were ready for that and all up for the challenge today…it showed in the result.” (Michael Vaughan, speaking after England beat Australia in the 2005 Ashes series, 2 nd Test Match)

Level of arousal Positive impacts on performance: When LoA is at the right level you are: prepared to give your best able to shut out distractions carry out your role or responsibility effectively make effective decisions right from the beginning of your performance able to concentrate on the important parts of your performance quickly settle into you performance and demonstrate a high standard of skill execution

Level of arousal Negative impacts on performance: When LoA is low you: may doubt your own ability be un-motivated to perform will not try as hard as possible may be reacting to a previous match/competition When LoA is too high you: are likely to make rash decisions are more likely to get injured will make frequent mistakes

Measuring Mental factors that affect performance Methods of gathering information about mental factors that can affect performance: Questionnaires Observation schedules SCAT test Profile of mood status (POMS)

Example of decision making observation schedule for Badminton YESNO Gets back to the ‘ready position’ frequently during rallies Uses appropriate movement around the court (e.g. chassis step) Often chooses the correct shot to play to exploit opponents weaknesses Often chooses correct shot to play based on opponents court position

Example of self reflection questionnaire ALWAYSOFTENSOMETIMESNEVER I use the ready position after my shots I play the shuttle away from my opponent I use the correct shot at the correct time I win points when under pressure

Approaches to develop performance Visualisation Relaxation techniques Mental rehearsal Positive discussions (self/coach)