Optimizing Arousal Levels in Competition: A Phenomenological Study
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Authors
Selman, Ashley
Issue Date
2001
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the arousal-performance relationship in competition. The study attempts to support the current theories and techniques pertaining to optimizing arousal levels in competition, as well as identify new possible theories and techniques that would open the door for future research in this area. The study will accomplish this by examining two elite athletes' competition experiences and use of performance enhancing arousal techniques. An elite heptathlete and an elite javelin thrower were interviewed. The study showed that what was more important than adjusting arousal level in the moment of the event, was preparing for the competition in a way that would put the athlete in the prime mental state to achieve optimal performance. This pre-competition mental state was more significant than the ability to adjust arousal during competition, and this state had a profound affect on levels of arousal, anxiety, and stress upon entering a competition. Because of these findings, the study emphasizes the need for coaches and athletes to do more mental preparation work prior to a competition to maximize the mental state entering a competition, which will result in optimizing performance.