Stress Managment

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

a negative response of the body to a threat causing anxiety

Question 2

Define eustress

Answer 2

A positive response of the body to a threat

Question 3

What is cognitive and somatic stress

Answer 3

Cognitive - phycological effects of stress
Somatic - physiological effects of stress

Question 4

What is attentional narrowing and attentional wastage

Answer 4

Attentional narrowing - Occurs when a performer is aroused so they focus on certain cues and ignore others. Linked to dominant response
Attentional wastage - Performers concentration is misdirected to irrelevant cues. Can damage performance especially in novices

Question 5

What is a stressor and give some examples

Answer 5

A stressor is the causes of stress
Examples are injury, important games or good opponents

Question 6

What are the somatic techniques to relive stress

Answer 6

Biofeedback - Using a device to help recognise the physical changes that happen under stress
Progressive muscle relaxation - Alternating between a period of muscle tension and relaxation
Centering - Breathing Control whilst relaxing the chest and shoulders using controlled breaths
Breathing control - Controlling and concentrating on the rate of depth of breathing

Question 7

What are the cognitive stress management techniques ?

Answer 7

Thought stopping - Using a trigger to remove unhelpful thoughts
Positive self talk - Replacing negative thoughts about performance with positive ones
Imagery - recreating a feeling of successful movement
Visualisation - Using a mental image of the skill
Mental rehearsal - Going over the movements in your mind

Question 8

What is Niddefer’s model of Attentional Focus ?

Answer 8

Must choose the right attentional style for the right situation
The 4 styles in sorting context are:

Broad – attending to several stimuli with wide vision.
Narrow – focusing on one or two cues.
Internal – inner thoughts.
External – looking at the environment

Question 9

What is broad external ?

Answer 9

Many cues concerning the environment- Fast paced, open Game Environments
Position of players in a game, e.g. midfield in soccer.

Question 10

What is broad internal

Answer 10

Many cues concerning the performer
e.g Analyse and plan tactics. Coach’s tactics after watching the game.

Question 11

What is narrow external

Answer 11

1 or 2 cues concerning the environment- Concentrate on specific objects, limited cues
Focus on the ball, e.g. golf ball to hole

Question 12

What is narrow internal

Answer 12

1 or 2 cues concerning the performer
e.g Mental rehearsal of a skill or task Focus at the start of a race