1. Starter: Prepare a dance routine to the following music, some of you will be asked to perform this back to the class

2. Anxiety

3. What is stress?
The non-specific response of the body to any demand made on it.
It occurs when there is a large imbalance between demand and response capability

4. Eustress – positive form of stress
Enhance performance and heighten their emotions
Intrinsic satisfaction
Anxiety – negative form of stress
Can cause an increase in arousal which can deteriorate performance
They may experience cognitive or somatic responses

5. Types of Anxiety Cognitive anxiety:
The performer’s thoughts and worries concerning their perceived lack of ability to complete the task successfully.
Nervousness
Apprehension
Difficulty concentrating
When is this likely to occur?

6. Somatic anxiety
The individual’s physiological responses when placed in a situation where they perceive an inability to complete the task successfully.
Increase in:
Heart rate
Sweating
Blood pressure
Muscle tension
Feelings of nausea

7. Situation and personality may cause individuals to react differently…
Trait anxiety –a general level of stress that the individual has to perceive the situation as threatening. More likely to become anxious in a wide variety of situations.
State anxiety – a form of anxiety which occurs when the performer is placed in a particular situation (linked to the performer’s mood).

8. Competitive trait anxiety
Performer perceives competitive situations as threatening and respond with feelings of apprehension or tension.
Performer with high trait anxiety will experience high state of anxiety when faced with stressful situations e.g. competition where they feel others may evaluate their performance (key word = evaluation apprehension)

9. Measurement of stress levels
Why do we need to be able to measure stress levels?
What methods could we use to do this?
What impact would it have on performance?
If a pattern is identified – coach can implement strategies to reduce anxiety
Observation, biofeedback and self-report questionnaires

10. Observation
Stress management techniques will be implemented to reduce anxiety
Drawbacks:
Several observers are needed
Performer should be well known to the observer to allow them to identify any unusual behaviour patterns
Performer can be observed in an actual performance situation
Two types of data:
Individual behaviour
Aspects of performance

11. Biofeedback Monitoring the physiological responses of the performer
Provides accurate data but has drawbacks:
Hard to monitor in an actual performance
Natural changes may occur due to being evaluated

12. Self-report questionnaires
Answer questions concerning their emotions in specific situations
Advantages:
Ease of administration
Larges numbers can be accessed
cheap
Drawbacks:
Misinterpret the question
Socially desirable answers may be given
Time of completion may influence responses
Available responses ay not cater for the exact emotions experiences

13. Sport competition anxiety test (SCAT)
Measures competitive trait anxiety when placed in a pre-competitive sporting environment.
15 statements
Assess levels of anxiety prior to competition
Competitive sport anxiety inventory (CSAI-2)
Assesses an individual’s state anxiety and corresponding behaviour patterns
Measures cognitive and somatic anxiety
State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
20 statements to assess state anxiety and 20 statements to assess trait anxiety
In theory those individuals with a high trait anxiety rating are more likely to experience high state anxiety

14. Stress management techniques
Need to develop belief in the performer’s ability – reduce stress
Techniques are used to reduce arousal to allow the athlete to feel in control of their emotions/actions
Cognitive
Somatic

15. Prep: stress management techniques
Cognitive – imagery, thought stopping, attentional control, self talk
Somatic – biofeedback, breathing control, relaxation
Work with a partner to create a video to explain and demonstrate the different stress management techniques
Anna and Alex – cognitive
Jessie and Fawaz – somatic
Phoebe and Anush – cognitive
Anish and Joe - somatic
Be creative – I do not want you to read out of a textbook!!!

16. Exam question: June 2012
Using appropriate psychological theories, explain why performers may have different levels of optimal arousal and outline various somatic stress management techniques that can be used to control anxiety levels.
(14 marks)