Factors that could stress during a performance are: pressure, crowd, prize, big game, type of event, unfamiliar environment, biased referring etc. Stress will often cause a change in behaviour, which can either be physical or psychological. Physical effects could be things such as a release of hormones, tense muscles, and sweating, increasing heart rate, increasing breathing, nausea, increase in pulse rate, temperature. Psychological effects could be being paranoid, getting aggressive, becoming unstable, irrational, over aroused although it could be motivational and improve your alertness.
Task 3b
Compare the effects of stress and anxiety on sport performance
POSITIVE AFFECT ON SPORTS PERFORMANCE
NEGATIVE AFFECT ON SPORTS PERFORMANCE
STRESS
Stress in not necessarily negative, without the action of positive stress a lot of athletes would not reach their full potential.
There is a level of stress which is normal for athletes and sports people.
On the positive side it alerts us to a threat and increases our level of arousal and activation which can help us be more effective in coping with the threat.
When the stress that the athlete experiences is continual and stays with them over a long period of time, it is the negative affects of stress. When the athlete feels overworked they will be contributing less and less to the sport. The physical affects will be an increase in pulse rate, blood pressure and perspiration.
ANXIETY
This can have a positive affect when it is somatic anxiety which is the physical symptoms of anxiety such as nervousness, tension and even excitement. But if it continues it can cause a decrease in performance.
Mohammed Ali would have been affected by Somatic anxiety.
Anxiety breaks down into three factors, somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety and self confidence. Cognitive anxiety is the negative concerns regarding performance and one's ability to deal with the situation at hand. High levels of cognitive anxiety can lead to negative thoughts, worry, poor concentration, disrupted attention and feelings of loss of control.
Task 3c
Critically analyse the effects of stress and anxiety on sport performance, providing recommendations for changes as appropriate.
Everyone at one point in their life experiences stress and anxiety. It is only when it goes on for long that it becomes a problem.
From the previous questions I can see just how much strain it can become on an athlete who is under stress. It can totally affect the way they play and can affect them mentally.
Stress and anxiety would have affected Mohammed Ali when he had to travel away from his comfort zone to another country for his boxing matches. This would have been a whole new environment and a different crowd. He would have been nervous and anxious as the crowds may have reacted different etc.
However as I mentioned in the previous question there are negative and positive affects of these.
I have made a list of ways to combat and control stress and anxiety and would recommend this to the athletes.
* Break the routine
Rather than going into your usual evening routine such as preparing dinner, have a long relaxing bath, or do some exercise. You can also find a nice quiet, comfortable place where you can lie down and relax, and take some time to do some relaxing breathing. In your mind, take yourself on a journey to a relaxing place - this could be anywhere you can imagine, such as a peaceful forest, or tranquil mountain stream.
* Breathing exercises
Pay attention to your breathing. Place one hand on the part of your chest or abdomen that seems to rise and fall the most with each breath. If this spot is in your chest you are not utilizing the lower part of your lungs.
Place both hands on your abdomen and follow your breathing, noticing how your abdomen rises and falls.
* Alcohol and sleep
Make sure you are getting a good nights sleep and that your alcohol consumption is low. These are proven factors that can cause stress and anxiety.
* Quiet time
Have time to yourself to reflect on the day and to try and plan ahead to avoid stressful situations.
Gokhan Talip 16/05/07
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