- Know the definition of stress - Understand both cognitive and somatic stress. - Be aware of the causes of stress - Understand and be able to use the.

- Know the definition of stress

- Understand both cognitive and somatic stress.

- Be aware of the causes of stress

- Understand and be able to use the GAS

- Know the different types of anxiety

- Understand the different ways of measuring stress

Task 1

List five situations where you have felt stressed. Make sure at least two of these are from your sporting situations.

Definition of Stress

“Stress is the _______ imbalance between the demands of the ________ and the individual’s ______ to _______ the task.”

complete

task

perceived

ability

Eustress and Anxiety

• Eustress is a positive form of stress which performers actively seek to test their abilities to the limit and provide them with an adrenalin rush. It can enhance performance and lead to increased satisfaction.

• Anxiety is a negative form of stress which can lead to an increase in arousal and potential decrease in performance levels.

Cognitive and Somatic

• Cognitive Response – Any change in the performer’s thoughts (which are often negative), e.g. worry or feelings of failure.

• Somatic Response – Any change in the physiological response experienced by the performer, e.g. an increase in heart rate.

Task 2

Go back to task 1 and make a note of whether the situation was an example of eustress (e) or anxiety (a). Also mark whether there were cognitive © effects and/or somatic effects (s).

Video Task

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u7YGSZxAOA&feature=related

• Watch the start of this 100m race and list as many examples as you can see of stress and explain what type it is.

The Stress Process

Environmental Demands

Actual Behaviour

Stress Response

Perception of the environmental demand

Stage 1- Environmental Demands – This is where the individual has to cope with either a physical or psychological demand. E.g. performing in front of a large audience.

Stage 2- Perception- This is where the individual makes a judgement about the requirements of the task and whether they are able to deal with it.

Stage 3- Stress Response- Once a judgement has been made the individual expresses a specific reaction which may be somatic or cognitive.

Stage 4- Behaviour- The performer then executes the skill. The level of behaviour and quality of performance will be dependent on the three stages above.

Task 3

Pictionary

You will be split into two teams. You will each take it in turns to draw a different cause of stress that I give you. Your team will then have 30 seconds to correctly guess what you are drawing.

Causes of Stress

• Any cause of stress is called a stressor.Nature of the game- conflict Fear of Failure (N.A.F)

Injury or fear for personal safety Naturally high trait anxiety

Importance of the event Attitude of coach

Status of the opposition Parental Pressure

Extrinsic Rewards Media Pressure

Climate Personal Expectations

Frustration with own performance, others or officials

Nature of the crowd, e.g. size, knowledge, proximity

Stress Response: General Adaptation Syndrome

• When stress is experienced the body responds in a similar manner.

Stressor

Resistance

Homeostasis Restored

Stressor Removed

ExhaustionAlarm Reaction

Stressor maintained: Illness

Alarm Reaction Stage- Initiated when stressor is evident. The sympathetic branch of the automatic nervous system (ANS) is activated and increases heart rate, blood flow, adrenaline etc.

Resistance Stage- Body systems attempt to cope with stressors if they are not removed by reverting to normal functioning levels. Body attempts to fight ANS.

Exhaustion Stage- Continued presence of stressors proves too much for the body to cope with, causing serious illness which may eventually lead to death.

Anxiety

Anxiety is when stress affects us in a negative way. There are two different types of anxiety:

- Cognitive Anxiety: This involves the performer’s thoughts and worries concerning their lack of ability to complete a task successfully. They may experience feelings of nervousness and apprehension before the event.

- Somatic Anxiety: This involves the individual’s physiological responses when placed in a situation where the performer is worried about completing the task successfully. The performer may experience an increase in heart rate, sweating, muscle tension and feelings of nausea. These symptoms are usually seen just before the performance begins.

Task 4

• Use the blank graph below to plot the effect you feel different types of anxiety will have on a performer at different stages of competition.

Anxiety Level

Time

High

Middle

Low

Before competition

Start of competition After competition

High

Middle

Low

Before competition

Start of competition After competition

Anxiety Level

Anxiety Continued

1. Trait Anxiety

2. State Anxiety (Cognitive State Anxiety or Somatic State Anxiety)

3. Competitive Trait Anxiety

Trait Anxiety

This is also known as ‘A-trait’. This refers to an individual who finds many situations as threatening. If a performer has these characteristics they are likely to get nervous in a wide variety of situations.

State Anxiety

This is also known as ‘A-state’. This is a type of anxiety which occurs when the performer is placed in a particular situation. It is linked to the performer’s mood and can alter from moment to moment. Both cognitive and somatic anxiety may be experienced.

Competitive Trait Anxiety

Martens (1977) suggested this trait may affect people when they are put in situations of competition. Some individuals see these as threatening as their performance is being judged so their level of anxiety is a lot higher when competing.

Task 5

List as many ways as you can think of to measure personality.

Measurement of Stress Levels - Observation

Observation of performance is a subjective method but does allow an individual to be observed in an actual performance. The observer will record two types of data:

• Individual Behaviour- e.g. nervous actions, fidgeting, changes in speech patterns, increased signs of aggression.

• Aspects of Performance- e.g. accuracy and execution of skills, decision making, speed of reaction etc.

The information is analysed and repeated behaviour patterns are noted. Disadvantages include not one person being able to watch everything about a performer and the observing should ideally know the performer well so they can spot any unusual behaviour patterns.

Measurement of Stress Levels - Biofeedback

Biofeedback involves monitoring the physiological responses of the performer. Data is collected on changes in heart rate, muscle response, respiration rate and sweat production etc.

This can provide some accurate data however there are some difficulties which include:

- Difficulty of recording information during a competitive match

- Changes caused as a natural reaction to being evaluated.

- Replication of competitive environment is difficult in laboratory.

Measurement of Stress Levels – Self-report Questionnaires

These involve performers answering a series of questions concerning their emotions in specific situations.

Advantages Disadvantages

Easy to administer Misinterpretation of the questions

Large numbers can be assessed quickly

Performer may not answer honestly and may give false answer

Cheap to administer Inappropriate questions may be used

Time of completion may influence the responses

The available responses may not fit what the performer is feeling.

The most commonly used S-RQ is the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT), which is used to measure the competitive trait anxiety of a performer by asking 15 questions with different statements which the performer must use to decide which one fits best for them.

Video Task

Watch the video of this long jump and do an observation using the all of

the information we have talked about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBcP4xxYLEk

Individual Behaviour Aspects of Performance

Objectives

1. Know the definition of stress 2. Understand both cognitive and somatic stress. 3. Be aware of the causes of stress 4. Understand and be able to use the GAS 5. Know the different types of anxiety 6. Understand the different ways of measuring stress

HomeworkAnswer the following questions (q1-6,10+11 on p165/166)1. What is the difference between anxiety and eustress?2. Explain the term stressor.3. Give three examples of possible stressors that may affect a

performer during competition.4. Name and explain the three stages of the General Adaptation

Syndrome.5. What is the difference between cognitive anxiety and somatic

anxiety?6. Explain the difference between state anxiety and trait anxiety.10. Give three examples of how a performer may display signs of

somatic anxiety.11. Explain the term competitive trait anxiety.

June 20073. (b) The cognitive and somatic state anxiety of the competitors may vary as the start of

the race approaches.(i) What do you understand by the terms cognitive state anxiety and somatic state

anxiety? (2 marks)(ii) Describe how cognitive state anxiety and somatic state anxiety may vary prior to and

during the race. (3 marks)

Read p 160-165 and p135-139 in textbook for next week for a test at start of lesson. If you don’t have a book research stress management and self-efficacy.

I need the questions completed and e-mailed to me by Wednesday at the latest.

E-mail to [email protected]

If you fail to do this you will need to stay behind after school on Friday until the work is completed and parents will be informed.

The Debate(If time allows)

In your groups debate what you feel is the best way for a coach to combat stress for the performer. You need to come up with one clear argument which you will then use against the other groups. There will be a prize for the most convincing argument. Think about everything that we have talked about today.