Extract 1: ‘Performance in training indicates progress is being made but in the live performances, results continue to deteriorate’ - Scottish Highers Physical Education - Question 7 (a) - 2019

Emotion plays a significant role in performance, affecting athletes differently during training and live performances.

1. Anxiety Levels: During live performances, the pressure and anxiety may increase significantly compared to practice sessions. In training, the environment is usually more relaxed, allowing the performer to focus better, whereas in live situations, the fear of judgment may lead to performance anxiety, negatively impacting results.

2. Nervousness and Pressure: The familiar training setting may not evoke the same nervousness as a competitive environment. Many athletes face heightened nervousness during competitions, causing them to underperform due to inability to replicate practice performance levels.

3. Mental Focus: In training, athletes can concentrate fully on their techniques without external distractions. However, in live performances, the audience and competitive stakes may lead to divided attention, reducing the focus needed to execute skills effectively.

4. Self-Expectation: The pressure to meet personal and external expectations in live performances can influence an athlete's emotional state. In contrast to the supportive environment of training, heightened expectations might create a psychological barrier, leading to a deterioration in performance.

5. Motivation and Fear of Failure: While training often fosters a growth mindset where mistakes are learning opportunities, live performances might invoke a fear of failure, detracting from motivation and resilience, thus impacting the overall performance.