Building Resilience The role of challenge and threat appraisals

Transcription

1 Building Resilience The role of challenge and threat appraisals Mark Wilson Exeter Sports Medicine Conference, Sandy Park, May 10th, 2018

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3 Perform at your best when it matters most Choker Growth mindset Clutch Resilience Grit Mentally Tough Bouncebackability

4 Reactions to a stressful situation 2 stage process DEMANDS RESOURCES Fluctuates during an event / operation

5 Appraisal Process Threat State DEMANDS RESOURCES

6 Appraisal Process Challenge State DEMANDS RESOURCES

7 Challenge vs Threat State DEMANDS RESOURCES Self-fulfilling prophecy?

8 STUDY 1 Golfers pre-round appraisals predicted their performance: Those who thought they could cope with the demands played better

9 Challenge / Threat predicted: 1. Heading & Speed deviation 2. Subjective assessment 3. Gaze control

10 Challenge evaluations (Resources > Demands): More efficient cardiac pattern (CO/TPR) More efficient gaze control (target locking) Faster completion times At Baseline and Under Pressure and selection

11 Higher threat appraisals were associated with poorer performance in effect we could predict who would get the jobs

12 1. Correlation Accurately Appraise Performance Potential? 2. Causation Appraisals Influence Subsequent Performance

13 Manipulate Appraisals INTERVENTION STUDIES (CAN WE CREATE CHALLENGE?)

14 More efficient cardiac pattern The Challenge Group Revealed More favourable emotions More effective gaze control More effective putting kinematics & Muscle activity Better putting performance

15 Ensure task engagement Create some pressure Challenge! You can cope!

16 Threat! Can you cope?!

17 Experiment 2 Experienced Golfers

18 Implications Be careful what you say. Words do not only describe reality. Words create reality. Desmond Tutu

19 Channeling a challenge state 1. Person Confidence Control Appraisal skills Background 2. Culture Language used Social Support Team mates Experiences provided

20 In stressful situations, like sporting competition, our bodies react in very specific ways. The increase in arousal you may feel during stressful situations is not harmful. In fact, recent research has shown that this response to stress can be beneficial and aid performance in stressful situations. Indeed, this response evolved because it helped our ancestors survive by delivering oxygen to where it was needed in the body to help address stressors. Therefore, before and during the upcoming golf putting task, we encourage you to reinterpret your bodily signals and any increases in arousal as beneficial and remind yourself that it could be helping you perform well.

21 Golf Putting Changed physiological response Improved performance Maths Testing Less maths anxiety Improved performance Karaoke / Presentation Get excited v Calm down Improved performance

22 Are athletes who encounter adversity more likely to excel under pressure? Moderate number of adverse life events (4~10) More challenged Performed better in a sport task

23 Implications. Consider prior brushes with adversity when identifying athletes who are likely to excel in high-pressure situations in the future. Encourage athletes to view facing adverse events as an opportunity for growth and an experience that might benefit their performance during future stressful situations.

24 Implications. Don t shelter optimise sport-related adversities higher levels of competition different sports / playing positions deselection competition in foreign countries tough training

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