Optimal Arousal
Different tasks require different levels of arousal; there are 2 main theories for arousal.
- Drive theory: Relates performance to arousal, an athlete has the necessary skills and their drive to compete is aroused by being psyched for performance.
- Inverted U-Theory= Relates arousal to performance to an upside down u shape. According to this theory an athlete will perform at their best when they are in the optimal arousal zone. If the athlete is above this point/zone they are considered to be over-aroused therefore performance will decrease, Below the point/zone of optimal arousal the athletes performance will diminish usually characterized by jerky movements or being slow to move.