Research methods

I. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
II. Literature review.......................................................................................................................................2
III. Method of data collection........................................................................................................................2
IV. Results.......................................................................................................................................................2

Research methods, Tim Weeks

I. Introduction
This paper looks into the effects for levels of arousal on preforming athletes. Adriaanse, M. Balk, Y. De
Ridder, D. Evers, C. (2013) suggest that arousal is the level of consciousness that can lead to the heightened
awareness both physically and psychologically. Athlete performance has be thought to perform at the best
when the athlete has acquired the correct level of arousal, however being able to distinguish the correct level
of arousal for athletes has been a process that even to this day is still being disputed among leading experts.
Being able to correctly identify and manipulate levels of arousal may lead to improved performances and
learnings from athletes.
When looking at the sports psychology importance of this topic, the current readings that explain the
different views of how arousal works will need to be viewed. Although there are any theories present around
this topic there are a set few that stand out amongst others. These being; Drive theory, Inverted U theory
and the individual zone of optimal functioning theory.
D. Collins & N. Smith (1995) discus that the Drive theory shows a linier relationship between the
performance and arousal of an athlete. Drive theory explains that when there is an increase in arousal there is
also an increase in the athletes performance, therefore gaining arousal will improve performance, so it is
seen that an athlete to achieve high performance can keep rising their level of arousal to accomplish this.
However the athlete must firstly possess a high skill level such as professional or semi-professional to be
able to benefit from this theory. H. James. (2006) suggests that this theory has some credibility with the fact
some players may experience a higher level of performance when in a high contact sport such as rugby and
have an increased level of arousal, it is not possible to categorise all athletes within this theory as many
sports such as snooker which require small precise actions rather than explosive and powerful movements,
will not need such a high level of arousal to preform to their best but instead a lower level of arousal may be
necessary to make the correct judgements
Williams, J.M, Landers, D.M, Boutcher, S.H. (1993) suggest that the inverted U theory much like Drive
theory where the performance of an athlete will improve with the increase of arousal, however the difference
is that when arousal reaches a level where performance of the athlete is at an optimum level then any further
increase of arousal will progressively deteriorate. Krane, V. (1993) discusses that in many ways this theory
fits with the observations from athletes but in reality it may be too simplistic, so when looking at the theory it
can be asked if it equally applies to professional and beginner athletes and can it apply to all sport performers
in the same way.

Woodcock,C. (2013) explains that the Individual zone of optimum functioning theory, also known
as IZOF, can be distinguished into three different bandwidths of arousal. In this paper they will be
referred to as band A, band B and band C. Band A is when the performance requires a low level of
arousal for the athlete to reach the zone of optimum functioning (ZOF) this can be for sports such as
snooker that require small and precise muscular movements. Band B, where the performance
requires a medium ZOF, this is common in team sports such as volleyball as there is evident arousal
when in competition but being within a team allows it to be shared among the team so there is no
one individual under the entire pressure of the situation. Band C requires a high level of arousal to
reach the ZOF, sports such as boxing and rugby require a high ZOF due to the nature of the sport
and the physicality requiring a heightened awareness level which can be gained from a high level of
arousal.
Russell, D & Cox, R (2010) discusses that when looking at the independent zone of optimum functioning
theory, it becomes apparent that the theory is set in very general terms and each result can be subject to
changing due to the fact each athletes mind will process arousal levels in a different way and this theory
categorises arousal level requirements by general assumption based on the sport being played.

Research methods, Tim Weeks

Each of these theories begin to delve into the fundamentals of how arousal effects athletes performance, but
they do not have an agreed outcome nor do they give much reasoning behind arousal levels in individual
athletes and sports.

II. Literature review

Ahmadrea, M. Mahmood, S. Fazlolah, B. Rasool, H. Hassan, A. (2007) carried out a study to achieve peak
performance within athletes using the practice specify based model of arousal.
Within this study, the authors carried out a practice based model of arousal to achieve maximum
performance. 37 male physical education students that were randomly selected and randomly assigned into
high arousal and low arousal groups. Motivational techniques such as increasing heart rates and Sport
Competition Anxiety Test (Martens. R. 1977) were used to measure the level of arousal that had been
achieved by participants. When both group reached the determined state of arousal the performed a task of
the basketball free throw for 18 sessions. Immediately after the last session and ten days after the last session
the athletes were asked to perform a retention test at the two different arousal levels. It was seen that both
groups reached peak performance at their exposed arousal level that they had learnt the skill to, but when
changed to the second arousal levels there was a clear determination of their performance. These results
suggest that practicing in similar arousal levels to which they must perform in will benefit performance of
the athletes.
Barella, L. Etnier, J. Yu-ka, C. (2009) designed an experiment to identify the relationship between exercise
induced arousal and cognitive performance of a response time task that is performed at two differing levels
of task difficulty.
Sixteen male athletes were asked to perform a simple and choice response time task at eight different levels
of arousal. The level of arousal was based on heart rate reserve ranging from 20% to 90%. Athletes were
exposed to different levels of exercise to reach the arousal level for each test, when the required level of
arousal was met they were then to perform a task such as 100 meter sprint start, where the response time,
premotor and movement time were recorded using high speed cameras. A proiri trend analysis was then used
to test the relationships between each recordings. Results then indicated that exercise induced arousal has a
positive effect on response time tasks, however it had a limited impact on the overall performance.
Rathschlag, M. Memmert, D. (2013) conducted research to examine performance levels of athletes when
exposed to different natural emotions, happiness, anger, anxiety and sadness. After exposure to an emotion
eah athlete was then to carry out three experiments. Experiments one, investigate the influence by the
athletes force to a finger musculature. Experiment two, the height an athlete can achieve when performing a
counter-movement jump. Experiment three, the velocity reached of a ball thrown by the athletes. Results
shown that all participants could produce greater physical performances when recalling emotion of either
happiness or anger when compared to an emotionally neutral state. When exposed to sadness or anxiety all
the athletes had a lower performance when compared to anger or happiness emotions in all three
experiments.
Barnard, K. Broman-fulks, J. Micheal, K. Webb, R. Zawilinski, L. (2011) carried out a study to research the
effects on performance with high and low anxiety sensitivity among athletes.
The test involved twenty four athletes, fourteen male and ten female who were chosen for either scoring high
(>24) or low (<14) on the anxiety sensitivity index were randomly assigned to complete a series of
performances. Digit span, math fluency, and grooved pegboard. The results shown that athletes with high
anxiety sensitivity performed comparably to those with low anxiety sensitivity, regardless of arousal level.

Research methods, Tim Weeks

III. Method of data collection

IV. Results

V. Reference list
Russel, D & Cox, R. (2010) A laboratory of positive and negative affect within independent zones
of optimal functioning theory. Vol 2, pg 24-26.
krane, (1993) As seen in: Russel, D & Cox, R. (2010) A laboratory of positive and negative affect
within independent zones of optimal functioning theory. Vol 2, pg 24-26.
Williams, J.M., Landers, D.M., Boutcher, S.H. (1993). Arousal-Performance Relationships. Applied Sport
Psychology; Personal Growth to Peak Performance. Pg 170.

Woodcock, C. (2010) A multi-method examination of the processes and outcomes of IZOF

interventions in competitive sport: implications for program design, deliver, and evaluation. Vol 1,
pg 24-29.

Research methods, Tim Weeks