Balance Arousal for Optimal Performance

Awareness of bodily sensations plays a crucial role in understanding arousal, which has been studied more extensively since the 1940s, with significant insights emerging in the late 20th century. While arousal is a longstanding concept, its application in sports performance is relatively recent. Drive theory highlights that increased arousal typically correlates with enhanced performance, particularly in simple tasks. However, this does not hold true for complex tasks. The Yerkes-Dodson law, often depicted as an inverted U, illustrates that both low and excessively high arousal levels are detrimental to performance. Optimal performance occurs at a balanced arousal level, where moderate stimulation facilitates engagement and effectiveness.

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