1. Stress and Anxiety P3

2. Stress Definitions… Wingate (1982):
“Any influence that disturbs the natural equilibrium of the body”
McGrath (1970):
“A substantial imbalance between demand (physical/psychological) and response capability, under conditions where failure to meet the demand has important consequences”
Allen (2013):
“A physical/ Psychological response to a stimulus that evokes fear of failiure”
You need to find 3 separate definitions…

3. ANXIETY ANXIETY ANXIETY Definitions…
Seen as the ‘Negative aspect of stress’…
Is it more emotional or physiological?
What does your description say??

4. Types of STRESS Distress/ Bad stress Eustress/ Good stress Stress
Gives us energy and direction
- Keeps us fulfilled and happy
Causes discomfort and can lead to illness/depression
Stress is typically described as negative and is associated with a negative affect on an individual and their performance.
But stress can also serve as a mental and physical energy to motivate us to do something and do it well (pre game???)
Types of STRESS

5. Increase in motivation and energy Enhanced performance
Demands
e.g an important race.
Athletes
Perception
Of the demands
Increased
Arousal
May lead to
Outcome
Positive
(challenging)
Increase in motivation and energy
Enhanced performance
Negative
(threatening)
Increase in anxiety and negative thoughts
Impaired performance
Woods (1998)

6. Types of ANXIETY Trait Anxiety:
- A person experiences anxiety as part of their personality. Feelings of nervousness come in a variety of situations…
State Anxiety:
- Anxiety felt in response to a specific situation encountered.
People with high trait anxiety will usually experience higher levels of state anxiety
How will this affect an athletes performance?
Types of ANXIETY

7. Causes of STRESS
Divided into 4 categories:
Internal-
The things that we think about: past memories/experiences (how would injury affect motivation?) self worth etc…
External-
Our surroundings/environment, competition, weather etc…
Sporting environment-
Similar to external factors: the level of competition, bearing on the outcome, weather, pitch.
Occupational factors-
Our working conditions and the job a person does. Within a team it could be team mates/coaches etc…
All varied to the individual
How would Type A and type B personalities find situations stressful or not?

8. 4 stage STRESS process… Cause of stress
Individual view of whether the situation is threatening
Stress response: physical and psychological changes
Positive/ negative changes in performance
4 stage STRESS process…

9. Physiology of the STRESS response…
Fight or Flight Response:
- A stress response that varies depending on the ‘perceived’ threat. Physiological changes that prepare us to turn and fight the danger or run away as fast as possible.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Increased Adrenaline
Decreased Adrenaline
Increased HR
Slowed HR
Increased Breathing rate
Slower breathing rate
Increased Metabolism
Slower metabolism
Increased Heat production
Lower body temp
Muscle tension
Muscle relaxation
Dry mouth
Dry skin
Dilated pupils
Smaller pupils
Hairs on skin stand up
Digestion system slows
Digestion system speeds
Diversion of blood to working muscles and away from organs
Sympathetic:
Provide body with as much energy as possible to confront or run away from threat.
Releases stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline…
Parasympathetic:
- Provides relaxation response and conserve energy after threat has passed.

10. Symptoms of STRESS & ANXIETY
Stress/ Anxiety has a 3 fold effect upon the body- causing COGNITIVE (mental), SOMATIC (physical) and BEHAVIOURAL responses.
Symptoms of STRESS & ANXIETY

11. - Racing heart rate - Faster breathing - Headaches - Butterflies
Cognitive Symptoms
Somatic Symptoms
Behaviour Symptoms
-Reduced concentration
- Less interested
- Unable to make decisions
- Sleep disturbances
- Making mistakes
- Unable to relax
- Quick losses of temper
- Loss of sense of humour
- Loss of self-esteem
- Loss of enthusiasm
- Racing heart rate
- Faster breathing
- Headaches
- Butterflies
- Tight chest
- Muscular aches
- Increased sweating
- Skin irritations
- Talking/Eating/ Walking fast
-Interrupting conversations
- Fidgeting
- Lethargy
- Moodiness
- Clumsiness
- Accidents
- Nervousness
- Poor presentation

12. Cognitive and somatic anxiety levels may vary before, during and after competition
High
Cognitive anxiety
Level of anxiety
Somatic anxiety
Low
Before competition
During competition
After competition
Time

13. Affect of STRESS on sports Performance
Fear of failure:
- Negative affect on performance? Place too much pressure on losing and forget about the process of trying to win?
Nervous system:
- Increase within the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response).
Loss of self confidence and concentration: Confidence correlates to positive performance, what happens when this is lacking?
Negative mental state: Linked to confidence, what is it and how does it contribute to performance?

14. Affect of ANXIETY on sports Performance
Fear of failure:
Process of performance is forgotten and performer becomes more fascinated on directing behaviour to avoid losing, rather than successful performance to win… ANXIETY
Decreased expectations of success:
How does this affect performance… will performer try as hard to be successful if already in doubt of potential success?
Affect of ANXIETY on sports Performance
Loss of self confidence and concentration: Confidence correlates to positive performance, what happens when this is lacking?

15. Assessment