Discuss peak performance, including the characteristics that usually accompany it and what causes it to go away; explain why the level of arousal is important to the performance of athletes; and identify three ways that athletes can adjust their arousal level

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that during peak performance, physical, mental, and emotional states are harmonious and optimal. Many athletes report episodes during which they felt almost as if they were in a trance. The experience has also been called flow because the athlete becomes one with his or her performance and flows with it. At such times, athletes experience intense concentration, detachment, a lack of fatigue and pain, a subjective slowing of time, and feelings of unusual power and control. It is at just such times that "personal bests" tend to occur. A curious aspect of flow is that it cannot be forced to happen. In fact, if a person stops to think about it, the flow state goes away. One way to help athletes reach this peak performance is for the athlete to learn to adjust his or her arousal level so that it is appropriate to the task. For a sprinter at a track meet that may mean elevating arousal to a very high level. The sprinter could, for example, try to become angry by picturing a rival cheating. For a golfer or a gymnast, lowering arousal may be crucial, in order to avoid "choking" during a big event. One way of controlling arousal is to go through a fixed routine before each game or event. Athletes also learn to use imagery and relaxation techniques to adjust their degree of arousal.