Sports Psychology Final Exam Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

Sports Psychology Final Exam Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified How does mental imagery support athletic performance? By rehearsing skills and strategies in the mind What is psychological skills training (PST)? A structured program to develop mental skills for performance Why is goal clarity important for athletes? It improves focus and directs effort What does arousal regulation help athletes control? Their level of alertness and activation How can over-arousal affect performance? It can cause tension and reduced coordination What is the main benefit of relaxation techniques? They reduce stress and muscle tension Why is breathing control taught to athletes? 2 To manage anxiety and improve focus What does self-talk refer to in sport? Internal dialogue that influences thoughts and actions How can positive self-talk improve performance? By increasing confidence and motivation What is attentional focus? The ability to direct concentration to relevant cues Why is selective attention important during competition? It helps ignore distractions What is flow state in sports psychology? A state of optimal experience and performance What conditions often lead to flow? Clear goals, balance of challenge and skill How does confidence differ from self-efficacy? Confidence is general, self-efficacy is task-specific 3 Why is consistency in routines helpful before competition? It creates familiarity and reduces anxiety What is a pre-performance routine? A set sequence of behaviors before execution How does anxiety differ from stress? Anxiety is emotional response; stress is demand-based What is competitive anxiety? Anxiety experienced in sport competition settings Why is coping strategy selection important? Different situations require different responses What is problem-focused coping? Addressing the source of stress directly What is emotion-focused coping? Managing emotional responses to stress 4 How can social support help athletes? It buffers stress and improves resilience What is resilience in athletes? The ability to recover from setbacks Why is motivation considered dynamic? It changes with context and experience What is achievement motivation? Desire to succeed and excel How does fear of failure affect performance? It can reduce risk-taking and confidence What is burnout in sport? Chronic physical and emotional exhaustion