Sports psych - 4.5 arousal, stress & anxiety - anxiety

What is anxiety?

-A feeling of apprehension closely associated with our own concept of fear

-Stress leads to anxiety which manifests itself as arousal

What is state anxiety?

-Inherent in a situation as perceived by a participant

-Anxiety states —> A-state = our response to a particular situation

What is trait anxiety?

-The anxiety of our personality or an underlying disposition to certain levels of anxiety given a particular situation

-Anxiety traits (A-trait) are the characteristics of our personality, our general anxiety level

What is choking?

-High stress levels that negatively impact an athlete’s performance that prevent and athlete from performing at their best

-Can happen very suddenly

-When the pressure builds and the importance of the situation makes it hard to control one’s emotions, a sportsperson can become physically unable to execute the easiest of sporting skills

What are the three categories of symptoms of anxiety?

Cognitive (thought process), somatic (physical body responses) & behavioural (patterns of behaviours)

Examples of cognitive symptoms:

-Indecision

-Negative thoughts

-Irritability

-Fear

-Loss of confidence

Examples of somatic symptoms:

-Increased blood pressure

-Pounding heart

-Sweating

-Nausea

-Trembling

Examples of behavioural symptoms:

-Fidgeting

-Biting fingernails

-Introversion

-Playing safe

-Inhibited posture

Symptoms of under arousal:

-Boredom

-Late to matches

-Poor concentration

-Skill errors

-Poor performance choices