![]() ![]() In general, The Multidimensional Anxiety Theory hypothesizes that as cognitive anxiety increases, athletic performance decreases. ![]() Additionally, the somatic anxiety element signifies perceived physiological arousal such as elevated heart rate and increased perspiration (Martens et al., 1990). Cognitive anxiety signifies distractions which involve inability to concentrate, disruptions in attention, and negative performance expectations (Martens et al., 1990). It takes into consideration two different elements: cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety. (1990), for instance, focuses on the anxiety response that accompanies high levels of stress. The Multidimensional Anxiety Theory by Martens et al. Following criticisms of lack of support, popular unidimensional models such as the Inverted U-Theory and the Catastrophe Theory are being replaced with multidimensional-type models (Weinberg, 1990). In the field of Sport Psychology, many models have been created to explore arousal and anxiety levels as they relate to athletic performance. Now that there is a common understanding of these terms, it is important to understand their relationship to athletic performance. Additionally, for this text, mood is defined as a group of persistent feelings associated with evaluative and cognitive states which influence all the future evaluations, feelings, and actions (Amado-Boccara et al., 1993). Anxiety results when one doubts his or her ability to cope with the situation that causes him or her stress (Hardy et al., 1996). Stress is defined as a state that results from the demands that are placed on the individual which require that person to engage in some coping behavior (Jones, 1990). It is associated with increases in physiological and psychological activity, such as heart rate and attention (Landers, 1980). ![]() Arousal will refer to a state of alertness as the body prepares itself for action. In order to differentiate between arousal, anxiety, and stress in this text, specific definitions will be used. In this context, media can be newspaper reporters, paparazzi, television newscasters, or fans and critics who publicize their critiques of athletic performance through the use of public forums and blogs. Media will be defined as individuals who publicly report or make public statements relative to an athlete’s performance. For the purposes of this paper it is important to have a common definition and understanding of media, arousal, stress, anxiety, and mood. The purpose of this paper is to initiate an examination of the influence of the media as a distraction and its impact on athletic performance. As Haverstraw (2002) noted, distractions may arise from various sources including: the presence of loved ones you want to impress, family or relationship problems, teammates and other competitors, coaches, underperformance or unexpected high performance, frustration at mistakes, poor refereeing decisions, changes in familiar patterns, unjust criticism, and the media. Time spent fretting over distractions drains mental energy so that performance suffers (Manktelow, 2006). By concentrating effectively, an athlete can conserve physical energy by maintaining good technique and focus, executing skills properly, and pushing the body through pain and fatigue barriers. Mental energy is a vital element needed to be able to concentrate one’s attention and maintain a positive mental attitude. Distractions evoke negative mood responses, detrimental arousal and anxiety levels, and stress, thus resulting in the consumption of mental energy. It is believed that distractions interfere with an athlete’s ability to focus. A point of consensus clearly stated in these sources is that athletic performance efficiency is reduced by distraction. Many books, articles, and papers have been published relative to the relationship between an athlete’s mental state and his or her performance. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory or defeat.”–26th President Theodore Roosevelt “It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. & Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Ph.D., CTRS, CRC ![]()
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