Why does the zone of optimal functioning vary between performers?

Each performer's best anxiety level depends on personality, experience and the skill. One performer's zone may lie at low anxiety and another's at high anxiety.

Describe the graph of the zone of optimal functioning.

The graph shows a flat band of peak performance across a range of anxiety. The position of the band differs for each performer, low for some and high for others.

What does a performer experience when in the zone?

A performer in the zone feels calm, confident and in control. Movements feel automatic and effortless, with full concentration on the task.

OCR A-Level Physical Education H555

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Anxiety

The zone of optimal functioning

3 things to know
Component 02

Overview

Hanin's zone of optimal functioning, how it differs from inverted-U, individual differences, the graph, being in the zone and flow, pre-race routines, anxiety above and below the zone, and finding it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is the zone of optimal functioning?

Key term

Who proposed the zone of optimal functioning?

Key term

How does the zone of optimal functioning differ from inverted-U theory?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is the zone of optimal functioning?
Model answer
The zone of optimal functioning is a band of anxiety within which a performer produces their best performance. Performance is poorer above or below the zone.
2
Who proposed the zone of optimal functioning?
Model answer
Yuri Hanin proposed the zone of optimal functioning. Hanin based the idea on the anxiety levels of elite performers before their best performances.
3
How does the zone of optimal functioning differ from inverted-U theory?
Model answer
Inverted-U theory places optimal performance at a single point of moderate arousal. The zone of optimal functioning is a range, not a point, and it differs between performers.
4
Why does the zone of optimal functioning vary between performers?
Model answer
Each performer's best anxiety level depends on personality, experience and the skill. One performer's zone may lie at low anxiety and another's at high anxiety.
5
Describe the graph of the zone of optimal functioning.
Model answer
The graph shows a flat band of peak performance across a range of anxiety. The position of the band differs for each performer, low for some and high for others.
6
What does a performer experience when in the zone?
Model answer
A performer in the zone feels calm, confident and in control. Movements feel automatic and effortless, with full concentration on the task.

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