6.4 Anxiety

A stage of nervousness and worry. A negative response to a threatening sporting situation.

Somatic Cognitive Competitive trait Competitive state

Somatic - physiological symptom of anxiety Cognitive - mental symptom of anxiety Competitive trait - a performer has a natural tendency to become anxious in all sporting situations. Competitive state - a performer is only anxious in a specific sporting situation such as high pressure situations.

An individual tends to be prone to experiencing anxiety - they are naturally anxious, its part of their personality.

• Worry or apprehension • Irritability • Inability to concentrate • Difficulty making decisions

• Increased heart rate • Increased breathing rate • Increased blood pressure • Increased adrenaline • Sweating

Anxiety can be measured using: - Questionnaires - Observation - Physiological methods such as a HR monitor

• Competition • Frustration • Conflict • Environment • Judges / MKO’s (parents coaches)

(SCAT) Sport Competition Anxiety Test - the performer answers statements rating their levels of anxiousness (STAI) State Trait Anxiety Inventory - questions that distinguish between specific state and trait anxiety (CSAI) Competitive State Anxiety Inventory - measures cognitive and somatic, as well as self confidence in sporting situations.

Observing the individuals behaviour before, during and after they perform.

Physiological methods generate factual (quantitative) data on somatic responses such as heart rate and blood pressure.