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It is apparent there is an optimal level of arousal Optimal state of readiness Reaction time is fastest Screen out irrelevant information Don’t suffer from Attentional Narrowing So tightly focused on one thing they miss other cues What effect does arousal have on performance?

Attentional Narrowing Athlete wants to select appropriate cues and make correct decisions Cue Utilisation Theory- correct amount of arousal Increases in arousal= Attentional Narrowing- miss cues Attentional wastage- ie crowd.

AROUSAL AND ITS IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE Once we attain our optimum level our reactions are at their fastest, we are able to screen out irrelevant information and do NOT suffer from Attentional Narrowing. Attentional Narrowing: Focusing on too narrow a range of information or on the performance of a skill; this causes the performer to ignore important cues or information. This occurs when a performer is so tightly focused on performing the skill, or on a small part of the display (e.g. the defender in front of them), that they do not attend to other important aspects or they miss important cues (e.g. team mates they could pass to).

Cue Utilisation Theory This theory predicts ‘THE SELECTION OF THE MOST RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL DATA AT THE OPTIMAL AROUSAL LEVEL’. As arousal increases the perceptual field will adjust to the ideal width enabling the performer to focus on the most relevant cues/information. Selective attention is fully operational and the potential to concentrate is maximised. Beyond this optimal threshold (over aroused), the perceptual focus narrows excessively and the relevant cues may be missed. The athlete appears highly agitated and panics. This condition is known as HYPER-VIGILANCE or PANIC. HIGH AROUSAL PERCEPTUAL FIELD NARROWS RELEVANT CUES MISSED = HYPER-VIGILANCE & PANIC OPTIMAL AROUSAL PERCEPTUAL FIELD AT IDEAL WIDTH SELECTIVE ATTENTIONS IN OPERATION = CONCENTRATION IS MAXIMISED!

Heart rate and breathing are sufficiently elevated to prepare body for action. Levels of emotion are at a peak in relation to the skill level and type of activity they are engaged in. Beginners- lower level of arousal (having to consciously process more info) Elite- higher Optimal Arousal

Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (Hanin)……… Teachers and coaches should guide the performer towards their personal ‘optimal threshold’ or ‘individual zone of optimal functioning’. IN THE ZONE! EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE THE ATHLETE FEELS IN FULL CONTROL ATTENTION AND CONCENTRATION OF THE PERFORMER IS FOCUSED EXECUTION OF THE SKILL BRINGS ENJOYMENT AND SATISFACTION

Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (Hanin) Athlete A (low ZOF) Athlete B (moderate ZOF) Athlete C (high ZOF) In zone (best performance) Out of zone In zone (best performance) Out of zone In zone (best performance) Increasing Arousal An athlete will enter the zone when arousal is at an optimum level and the situation matches the athlete’s strongest attentional style.

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Being in the Zone…. Sports Holy Grail P2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKiD_E7f P2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKiD_E7f 2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKiD_E7f&index=7

PEAK FLOW PEAK FLOW: Optimal experience that facilitates best performance and is intrinsically valuable. Excitement, happiness Relaxation, Drowsiness Anxiety, anger Boredom fatigue High somatic arousal Low somatic arousal High cognitive Arousal anxiety Low cognitive Arousal anxiety  Peak flow occurs when somatic anxiety has reached an appropriate threshold and cognitive anxiety is low.  flow state is attained when the performer has a balanced perception of the demands of the situation and his/her ability to cope.  a high incentive value is to be gained from a challenge that is both realistic and attainable.  The focus of attention and concentration is maximised.  there is a self-confident belief that nothing could go wrong.  the situation suits the athlete’s strongest attentional style. During these rare moments in sport, the athlete assumes control over all internal and environmental variables and a time of greatest happiness and self- fulfilment is experienced.

Peak Flow Experience IN THE ZONE!!!!!!! When in this state, performers report to be so focused on the task they are oblivious to anything else; all that matters is the performance. The performance is effortless, the athlete is totally confident, movement seems automatic, on autopilot yet in total control.

Peak Flow Experience Nine specific factors associated with being in the zone 1. Challenge-skill balance 2. Merging of action and awareness 3. Clear goals 4. Unambiguous feedback 5. Concentration on the task at hand 6. Sense of control 7. Loss of self-consciousness 8. Transformation of time 9. Intrinsic rewards Performers who achieve this state are able to undertake mental strategies and exercises to help them achieve this again. They demonstrate a positive mental attitude, high self- confidence, high levels of motivation and are able to achieve optimum arousal before competition and can peak under pressure.

Peak Flow Experience It is vital that the performer achieves or maintains an optimum level of arousal throughout the performance. Performers are not able to simply ‘psyche’ themselves up to a frenzy or stay calm solidly through a physical performance. There is a great interaction the performance situation, skills being used, the personality of the performer, and their level or expertise.

The performer and the coach must work together so that the performer can control their arousal levels during a competition. Identify three characteristics of the peak flow experience. (3 marks)

Answer A. Highly focussed on the task/good selective attention/fully absorbed/involved in activity B. Movement or skill feels effortless/physical and mental harmony C. Clear goals D. High levels of confidence/self-efficacy/sense of well being E. Sub-conscious feelings of control/being on autopilot/ automatic/optimal levels of arousal/zone of optimal functioning/ZOF