When an athlete’s
performance suffers in an
important event, it is often
because of too much worry
about the outcome……being
solely concerned with winning
causes an increase in anxiety.”
(T. Orlick, 1986)
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=Ul1cuSMUc58
Learning Objectives
• Understand what anxiety is and what form it
can take
• Explain how anxiety may affect performance
• To understand state and cognitive anxiety
Q)What emotions do you see?
Q)How would these influence sporting
performance.
Task: Give examples on how these
would influence your sporting
performance
Excitement
Positive mood
Relief
Pride
Anxiety
Guilt
Boredom
Shame
Anger
Negative
mood
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=ZozVsRR7
dvc&list=PL53DB6B21A
10B73DA
Anxiety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8
2FH5WIWyHk&index=10&list=PLVdsA
oRmeYc1pZ5kwu1eOcIQKV2j0k3Kv
From the videos come up with
your own definition of anxiety.
Anxiety
• The negative aspect of stress
• 'A negative reaction of a performer to stress, often
leading to over arousal'
• 'An emotional state, similar to fear, associated
with arousal and accompanied by feelings of
nervousness and apprehension'
Cognitive anxiety = “Thoughts” “Psychological”
Thoughts, nervousness, apprehension or worry that a performer
has about their lack of ability to complete a task.
Somatic Anxiety = “physiological”
Physiological responses to a situation where the performer feels
they may not cope – increased hr, sweaty palms, muscle
tension.
State Anxiety (A-state) = anxiety felt in a particular
situation.
• An emotional reaction of someone in a situation that
they experience as threatening.
E.G.
A basketball player’s level of state anxiety would change
during the match.
Prior to tip off – elevated level (nerves)
During match – lower level
Final seconds faced with 3 free throws –
extremely high level.
Cognitive responses to anxiety
Somatic responses to anxiety
• Loss of concentration
• Feelings on apprehension
• inability to cope
• Attentional narrowing
• Fear of failure
• Sweating
• Increased muscle tension
•Feelings of nausea
• Increased heart rate
• Increased breathing rate
These are PYSCHOLOGICAL responses
These are PHYSIOLOGICAL responses
Symptoms of Anxiety
Indecision
Sense of confusion
Yawning
Irritability
Feeling heavy
Negative thoughts
Loss of confidence
Fear
Forgetfulness
Images of failure
Feeling weak
Feeling rushed
Defeatist self-talk
Constant
dissatisfaction
Unable to take instructions
Poor concentration
Thoughts of avoidance
Biting fingernails
Fidgeting
Inhibited posture
Introversion
Avoidance of eye contact
Going through the motions
Lethargic movements
Covering face with hand
Uncharacteristic displays of extroversion
Playing safe
Increased blood pressure
Pounding heart
Need to urinate
Incessant talking
Blushing
Trembling
Muscular tension
Tightness in neck and shoulders
Sweating
Butterflies in the stomach
Dry mouth
Adrenaline surge
Clammy hands and feet
Increased respiration rate
Exam question
With reference to sporting
performance, explain how
cognitive and somatic
anxiety differ.
(Total 5 marks)
Exam Answers
Must use sporting example
Max 4 marks from:
1.
to
Cognitive anxiety is psychological response/worry/inability
5.
6.
7.
8.
Cognitive may remain high during performance.
The more you worry, the bigger the drop in performance.
Somatic should reduce once performance begins.
Effects of somatic similar to inverted ‘U’.
concentrate/loss of attention/fear of failure.
2.
E.g. worry that tennis opponent is a much better player than
you.
3.
Somatic anxiety is a physiological response.
4.
E.g. increased heart rate/adrenaline/‘butterflies’/sweaty
palms
before the tennis match begins.
Max 2 marks from: