3. AROUSAL DEFINED
•Arousal – the general physiological
and psychological activation of the
body that varies on a continuum
from deep sleep to intense
excitement.
5. COMPONENTS
OF AROUSAL
• intensity – amount of activation of
the Autonomic Nervous System.
• direction – interpretation of
activation as positive and facilitating
performance or negative and
detrimental to performance.
6. PHYSIOLOGICAL
COMPONENTS OF AROUSAL
• Under stress, the Autonomic Nervous
System is activated.
• The sympathetic component of the ANS
pumps adrenaline into bloodstream to
help the body prepare to handle
demanding situation.
• The “Fight or Flight Syndrome” is a
survival mechanism built into our
caveman ancestors.
7. PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES
DURING MAXIMALAROUSAL
• Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing increase,
• Muscles develop anticipatory tension,
• Glucose is released from the liver to provide extra
energy,
• Through vasodilation, blood is shunted away from
the digestive system to the large muscles of arms
and legs,
• The kidneys shut down and the bladder is emptied,
• Brain activity increases, enhancing alertness, and
• Our cooling system engages to prepare for vigorous
activity.
8.
9. WHAT TRIGGERS
ACTIVATION OF THE ANS?
• life-threatening situations that
trigger the “Fight or Flight
Syndrome,”
• psychological stress such as
preparing for a big test, an
important speech, a crucial job
interview or a major sport
competition.
12. Relationships Between Physical and Mental
Components of Arousal
High Physical Arousal
Low Physical Arousal
Facilitative
Debilitative
• excitement
• challenge
• readiness
• relaxation
• somatic anxiety
• anger
• boredom
• fatigue
• lethargy
13. FACILITATIVE AROUSAL
• high arousal that is interpreted positively as
optimal challenge, readiness or excitement.
• leads to a constructive approach to
competition in which athletes are highly-
focused, thinking positively, feeling
prepared and in control, and imagining
successful process and outcome.
• prompts performers to rise to the occasion,
attain personal excellence and promote
Flow.
14. DEBILITATIVE AROUSAL
• high arousal that is interpreted negatively as
threat, worry, and fear of failure.
• leads to a detrimental approach to
competition in which athletes are highly-
distracted, thinking negatively, feeling ill
prepared and totally overwhelmed, and
imagining disastrous performance and
outcome.
• prompts choking and poor performance,
thus blocking Flow.
16. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
AROUSALAND ANXIETY
• Anxiety – a negative emotional state characterized
by feelings of nervousness, worry and apprehension
associated with activation of the body.
• Anxiety is a negative emotion that has a detrimental
impact on performance.
• Trait anxiety – is the tendency to view situations
negatively and respond with higher levels of state
anxiety.
• State anxiety – is a momentary anxiety experience
that includes both autonomic arousal and specific
cognitions of worry and apprehension.
17. • somatic anxiety
s
e
l
f
• excitement
• readiness
• cognitive anxiety
• self-confidence
Physical
Facilitative
Debilitative
Mental
Model of Competitive Emotions
18. DIMENSIONS OF ANXIETY
• Cognitive Anxiety – is negative expectations of
success or worrying about the negative
consequences of failure.
Symptoms include: self-doubts, concerns about doing
well, lack of control, inability to concentrate and images
of failure or disaster.
• Somatic Anxiety – is the physiological and affective
component of anxiety that develops directly from
autonomic arousal and is interpreted negatively.
Symptoms include: muscular tension, butterflies in the
stomach, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, “cotton
mouth,” frequent urination, and increased heart rate.
19. POSITIVE COMPETITIVE
EMOTIONS
Self-Confidence – is positive expectations of
success that should facilitate performance.
Symptoms include: feelings of control, perceptions of
being highly prepared, few concerns about doing well,
extreme belief in talent and ability, and images of
success.
Excitement/Readiness – reflects a positive
interpretation of autonomic arousal symptoms
that should facilitate performance.
Symptoms include: muscular tension, butterflies in the
stomach, shortness of breath, sweaty palms, “cotton
mouth,” frequent urination, and increased heart rate.
26. HOW UNDERAROUSAL
IMPAIRS PERFORMANCE
• Arousal is insufficient to prepare body for
challenging competitive demands.
Insufficient oxygen is pumped to the working
muscles,
The body’s cooling system is not adequately readied,
Nonessential systems such as digestion and excretion
are not put on standby,
Glucose has not been released from the liver to fuel
activity, and
Brain activity increases, heightening alertness.
27. HOW OVER AROUSAL
IMPAIRS PERFORMANCE
• excessive muscular tension and coordination
problems,
• index finger example
• attentional problems,
• attentional narrowing,
• inability to shift attention,
• brain specialization problems,
• excessive analyzer control,
• adoption of an outcome rather than a process
orientation
28.
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35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41. How do task and
personality variables
influence optimal arousal?
44. ATTENTIONAL DEMANDS
•the number of stimuli in the
environment,
•the number of cues you need to
attend to,
•the duration and intensity of the
stimuli, and
•the conflicting nature of cues.
46. NATURE OF THE
MOTOR RESPONSE
• the number of muscles involved,
• the amount of coordination required,
• the precision and steadiness needed,
and
• the fine motor skills required.
47. OPTIMALAROUSAL:
TASK DURATION
• Long-duration events – require execution
of the skill as efficiently as possible to
minimize energy expenditure through
good technique and correct pace.
• Short-duration events – require sharply-
focused, explosive arousal for a few
moments when athletes perform.
49. RECONCEPTUALIZING
THE INVERTED-U
• Facilitative arousal conditions – cognitive
anxiety is low, self-confidence is high, and
athletes adopt a process orientation.
• Debilitative arousal conditions – cognitive
anxiety is high, self-confidence is low, and
athletes adopt an outcome orientation.
• Neutral arousal conditions – low-moderate
cognitive anxiety, moderate to high self-
confidence, and a moderate outcome
orientation.
53. SPORT ENERGY
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
• Education Phase
General Education
Personal Education through Awareness
• Acquisition Phase
Develop Energy Management Skills
Adjust Your Optimal Energy Zone
• Practice and Rehearsal Phases
54. AWARENESS TRAINING
• First step in energy management program.
• Use imagery to vividly recall your best
performance
• evaluate performance states
• Next use imagery to recall your worst
performance
• evaluate performance states
• Compare your responses
55. ENERGY MANAGEMENT
TRAINING ASSIGNMENT
• Total Relaxation
imagery, self-directed and progressive muscle relaxation
combined with diaphragmic breathing.
• Conditioned Relaxation Training
pair relaxation cue word with diaphragmic breathing and
feelings of deep relaxation 15-20 times
• Practical/Rapid Relaxation
3-5 seconds combination of 1-2 diaphragmic breaths coupled
with repeating your cue word twice
