Information processing

Define the term input

The performer takes in information from the environment/sporting display via senses. The performer then filters the information and selects the relevant cues.

Define the term selective attention

The process of focusing on specific stimuli or cues in the environment while ignoring others. This allows athletes to concentrate on the most relevant information during performance eg position of opponents or trajectory of the ball

Define the term sporting display

The observable scene in front of and any actions or performances of an athlete during a sporting event. It encompasses the skills, movements and strategies employed in a game or competition and takes into account any coactors and the environment

Define the term relevant cues

The important pieces of information that an athlete needs to pay attention to in order to make effective decisions

Give two examples of relevant cues in football

Position of teammates and opponents

Define the term irrelevant cues

Distractions or unnecessary information that does not contribute to decison-making in a sporting context

Give an example of an irrelevant cue

Crowd noise

Define the term long term memory

The part of the memory system where information is stored for extended periods, potentially for a lifetime. It holds learned skills, experiences and knowledge that can be recalled when needed during performance

Define the term short term memory

Also know as the working memory, it is where information is held for a brief period (seconds to minutes). Used to process and manipulate information relevant to the current situation, such as remembering a play or strategy during a game.

Define the term decision making

Where a performer selects an appropriate response (movement/skill) from their memory based on information they have collected from the input stage. It might be a response they have used before in a similar situation

How do the short and long term memories work together to give an appropriate response during the decision making stage?

The STM compares the new information with past experiences stored in the LTM - actions we have done before in similar situations and decides what is the most suitable response

Define the term output

The decision that has been made is sent as a message from the brain to the appropriate working muscles via the nervous system so that muscular movements can then take place to carry out the chosen skill response

Define the term feedback

The information about whether the skill was successful or not (degrees of success)

What are the two types of feedback?

Intrinsic and extrinsic

Define the term intrinsic feedback

Feel within the performers themselves

Define the term extrinsic feedback

By seeing the result/ others telling you whether it was a good performance/video analysis etc

What happens after feedback has been given?

It is stored and may affect the decision/output in future