Emotional factors
The emotional factor has a range of features, which can impact performance. They can range from increased anxiety levels to being scared of a particular aspect of your performance. They can also interlink and impact each other.
Fear/Anxiety
Before completing a vault in gymnastics if the performer is extremely anxious, this can have a negative impact on performance. They may feel sick and will start to think about all the things that could go wrong.
As a result, the performer will not attack the vault as effectively as they could and the performance will not achieve as high a mark.
Anger
Throughout a game of badminton, if a performer became frustrated at losing a point, they may show that frustration by throwing down their racket.
This would impact their performance negatively as the official could warn them, which may lead to points being lost.
Question
What positive impact could anger have on a basketball performance?
During a basketball performance if the ball is stolen from a performer, they may be able to channel their anger and frustration at losing the ball, turning it to determination to win the ball back. This may lead to a potential steal and therefore an attacking opportunity.
Question
What negative impact would high anxiety levels have on a swimming performance?
Anxiety levels at the start of a swim race can make the swimmer feel shaky and nervous. This may lead them to have negative thoughts about the race and lead to a poor start, resulting in the performer being behind at the start of the race.
