Sport Psychology and Motivation Flashcards
7 cards from real NSCA CSCS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sport Psychology and Motivation flashcards as text
Burnout in athletes is MOST associated with which combination of psychological factors?
Answer: Chronic stress, overtraining, and loss of enjoyment
Athletic burnout is characterized by emotional/physical exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of accomplishment resulting from chronic unresolved training and competitive stress.
Which pre-performance routine element helps an athlete redirect attention away from distractions and center on the upcoming task?
Answer: Centering breath
A centering breath is a controlled, slow diaphragmatic breath used to lower arousal, focus attention, and prepare for performance.
When an athlete's performance suddenly improves because a coach expressed high expectations of them, this is known as:
Answer: Pygmalion effect
The Pygmalion effect (or Rosenthal effect in sport) occurs when a coach's high expectations lead to improved athlete performance through enhanced feedback and attention.
Which motivational climate created by a coach emphasizes comparison with teammates and focuses on winning over personal improvement?
Answer: Ego/performance climate
An ego or performance climate, as described in achievement goal theory, emphasizes social comparison, outperforming others, and winning rather than personal development.
A lineman who uses the association strategy during a grueling conditioning drill is doing which of the following?
Answer: Attending to internal bodily sensations such as breathing and muscle effort
The association strategy involves focusing on internal physical sensations (breathing, muscle tension, pain) rather than dissociating by directing attention outward.
Which of the following BEST reduces the negative effects of competitive anxiety in a strength and conditioning context?
Answer: Developing individualized coping skills such as relaxation and self-talk
Teaching individualized psychological coping skills (relaxation, self-talk, imagery) is the most evidence-based approach to managing competitive anxiety.
The principle of specificity in mental skills training suggests that psychological techniques should be practiced:
Answer: In conditions that simulate the performance environment as closely as possible
Like physical skills, mental skills transfer best when practiced in contexts similar to the competitive environment, reinforcing their use under pressure.