http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEaWv0SBp3A&feature=related

It is apparent there is an optimal level of It is apparent there is an optimal level of arousalarousal

Optimal state of readiness Optimal state of readiness

Reaction time is fastestReaction time is fastest

Screen out irrelevant information Screen out irrelevant information

Don’t suffer from Don’t suffer from Attentional Narrowing Attentional Narrowing

So tightly focused on one thing they miss So tightly focused on one thing they miss other cues other cues

What effect does arousal have on What effect does arousal have on performance? performance?

Attentional Narrowing Attentional Narrowing

Athlete wants to select appropriate cues Athlete wants to select appropriate cues and make correct decisionsand make correct decisions

Cue Utilisation Theory- Cue Utilisation Theory- correct amount correct amount of arousalof arousal

Increases in arousal= Increases in arousal= Attentional Attentional NarrowingNarrowing- miss cues- miss cues

Attentional wastage- Attentional wastage- ie crowd.ie crowd.

AROUSAL AND ITS IMPACT AROUSAL AND ITS IMPACT ON PERFORMANCEON PERFORMANCE

Once we attain our optimum level our reactions are at their Once we attain our optimum level our reactions are at their fastest, we are able to screen out irrelevant information fastest, we are able to screen out irrelevant information

and do NOT suffer from and do NOT suffer from Attentional NarrowingAttentional Narrowing..

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 TheoryCue 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 Heart rate and breathing are sufficiently elevated to prepare body for action.to prepare body for action.

Levels of emotion are at a peak in relation to the Levels of emotion are at a peak in relation to the skill level and type of activity they are engaged in. skill level and type of activity they are engaged in.

Beginners- lower level of arousal (having to Beginners- lower level of arousal (having to consciously process more info)consciously process more info)

Elite- higher Elite- higher

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nbjhpcZ9_g

Optimal ArousalOptimal Arousal

Individual Zone of Optimal Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (Hanin)………Functioning (Hanin)………

Teachers and coaches should guide the performer towards their personal ‘optimal threshold’ or ‘individual zone of optimal

functioning’.

IN THEZONE!

EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCETHE

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 Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (Hanin)Functioning (Hanin)

Athlete A(low ZOF)

Athlete B(moderate ZOF)

Athlete C(high ZOF)

In zone(best performance)

Out of zone

Out of zone In zone(best performance)

Out of zone

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.

VV

Being in the Zone…. Sports Holy Grail Being in the Zone…. Sports Holy Grail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htw780vHH0o&list=PL9P2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKv=Htw780vHH0o&list=PL9P2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKiD_E7fiD_E7f

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbEeLsctzNg&list=PL9P2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKiv=HbEeLsctzNg&list=PL9P2sB5XhVlaaRd_kYD6yRuokTKiD_E7f&index=7D_E7f&index=7

PEAK FLOWPEAK FLOWPEAK FLOW: Optimal experience that facilitates best performance and

is intrinsically valuable.

Excitement,happiness

Relaxation, Drowsiness

Anxiety,anger

Boredomfatigue

High somatic arousal

Low somatic arousal

High cognitive

Arousal

anxiety

Low cognitiv

e

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 ExperiencePeak Flow Experience

IN THE ZONE!!!!!!!IN THE ZONE!!!!!!!

When in this state, performers report to be When in this state, performers report to be so focused on the task they are oblivious so focused on the task they are oblivious to anything else; all that matters is the to anything else; all that matters is the performance.performance.

The performance is effortless, the athlete The performance is effortless, the athlete is totally confident, movement seems is totally confident, movement seems automatic, on autopilot yet in total control.automatic, on autopilot yet in total control.

Peak Flow ExperiencePeak Flow ExperienceNine specific factors Nine specific factors associated with being in the associated with being in the zonezone

1.1. Challenge-skill balanceChallenge-skill balance2.2. Merging of action and Merging of action and

awarenessawareness3.3. Clear goalsClear goals4.4. Unambiguous feedbackUnambiguous feedback5.5. Concentration on the task at Concentration on the task at

handhand6.6. Sense of controlSense of control7.7. Loss of self-consciousnessLoss of self-consciousness8.8. Transformation of timeTransformation of time9.9. Intrinsic rewardsIntrinsic rewards

Performers who achieve this Performers who achieve this state are able to undertake state are able to undertake mental strategies and mental strategies and exercises to help them achieve exercises to help them achieve this again.this again.

They demonstrate a positive They demonstrate a positive mental attitude, high self-mental attitude, high self-confidence, high levels of confidence, high levels of motivation and are able to motivation and are able to achieve optimum arousal achieve optimum arousal before competition and can before competition and can peak under pressure.peak under pressure.

Peak Flow ExperiencePeak Flow Experience

It is vital that the performer achieves or It is vital that the performer achieves or maintains an optimum level of arousal maintains an optimum level of arousal throughout the performance. throughout the performance.

Performers are not able to simply ‘psyche’ Performers are not able to simply ‘psyche’ themselves up to a frenzy or stay calm themselves up to a frenzy or stay calm solidly through a physical performance.solidly through a physical performance.

There is a great interaction the There is a great interaction the performance situation, skills being used, performance situation, skills being used, the personality of the performer, and their the personality of the performer, and their level or expertise.level or expertise.

The performer and the coach must work The performer and the coach must work together so that the performer can control together so that the performer can control their arousal levels during a competition. their arousal levels during a competition.

Identify Identify three three characteristics of the peak characteristics of the peak flow experience. flow experience. (3 marks) (3 marks)

Answer Answer

A. Highly focussed on the task/good selective attention/fully A. Highly focussed on the task/good selective attention/fully absorbed/involved in activityabsorbed/involved in activity

B. Movement or skill feels effortless/physical and mental B. Movement or skill feels effortless/physical and mental harmonyharmony

C. Clear goalsC. Clear goals

D. High levels of confidence/self-efficacy/sense of well D. High levels of confidence/self-efficacy/sense of well beingbeing

E. Sub-conscious feelings of control/being on autopilot/ E. Sub-conscious feelings of control/being on autopilot/ automatic/optimal levels of arousal/zone of optimal automatic/optimal levels of arousal/zone of optimal functioning/ZOFfunctioning/ZOF