1. Stress and Stress Management
Miss Campbell
A2 Psychology in Sport

2. STRESSORS social disapproval of parents / peers
Emotional Control
STRESSORS
social
disapproval of parents / peers
rejection by peers / parents
isolation from normal social interactions
chemical / biochemical
harm by ingestion of substances
bacterial
illness caused by micro-organisms
physical
injury / pain / exhaustion
climatic
extremes of weather
hot weather for endurance activities
rain and cold on bare skin
psychological
mismatch between perception of demands of task and ability to cope

3. GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME
homeostasis = the process of establishing body equilibrium in its functions
well-being

4. General Adaptation Syndrome
Alarm Reaction Stage – when stressful situation occurs. ANS activated causing increase HR etc. Fight or Flight.
Resistance Stage – Body attempts to cope with stressors. If no homeostasis, body will attempt to resist the effects of ANS.
Exhaustion Stage – Continued stressors too much for body to deal with. Heart disease and ulcers may occur.

5. ANXIETY - an emotional state similar to fear associated with:
physiological (somatic) arousal
psychological (cognitive) arousal
feelings of nervousness
feelings of apprehension

6. TRAIT ANXIETY - A TRAIT
(Speilberger 1966)
an inbuilt (trait) part of the personality
Stable and inherited aspect of personality
a tendency to be fearful of unfamiliar situations
a tendency to perceive competitive situations as threatening
a tendency to respond to competitive situations with apprehension and tension
STATE ANXIETY - A STATE
* an emotional response to a particular situation
characterised by feelings of nervousness and apprehension
* often temporary

7. Competitive Trait Anxiety
Martens 1977
Specific trait
Tendency to perceive competitive situations as threatening and to respond with feelings of apprehension.
High trait anxiety may lead to a high state of anxiety when faced in stressful situations, such as competitions.
Performer may feel he is being evaluated in competition compared to training.

8. MEASUREMENT OF STRESS QUESTIONNAIRES
Stress and Anxiety
MEASUREMENT OF STRESS
QUESTIONNAIRES
Marten’s Sport Competitive Anxiety Test (SCAT)
measures emotional and physiological responses to stress in the competitive situation
Speilberger’s State, Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
measures emotional and physiological responses to stress in general and specific situations
BEHAVIOURAL MEASURES
the performance of sports players is observed
a subjective method
PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES
require laboratory testing equipment, objective methods
examples :
galvanic skin response
electrocardiogram
electroencephalogram

9. Observation
Observer records 2 types of data: individual behaviour and aspects of performance.
Information is analysed and repeated behaviour patterns noted.
Detrimental aspects noted and relevant stress management techniques implemented.
Strengths/weaknesses?

10. Biofeedback Measuring physiological responses. Accurate
Difficult to record information during performance.

11. Self-Report Questionnaires
Strengths/weaknesses?

12. SCAT