ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2008 October;167(5):213-20

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Affect and performance of an expert beach volleyball player according to an idiosyncratic probabilistic method

Raudsepp L., Rikberg A., Kais K.

Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Science Estonian Centre of Behavioral and Health Sciences University of Tartu,Tartu, Estonia

Aim. This study tested idiosyncratic probabilistic model in order to determine the individual affect-related performance zones (IAPZs) of an international-level male beach volleyball player. It was expected that the beach volleyball player who participated in this study would exhibit IAPZs that differ among his matches, which is in line with idiosyncratic approach of linking emotions and athletic performance.
Methods. IAPZs of the international-level beach volleyball player are defined for the attack and serve performance using the probabilistic method. IAPZs are defined as that range of affective intensity within which an individual has the highest probability of performing at a specific performance level (i.e. poorly, moderately, or optimally).
Results. The findings of the present study illustrate the player’s unique IAPZs and affective state fluctuations among the IAPZs during competitions. The player’s optimal IAPZ for arousal and pleasure dimensions in performing the volleyball attack were higher than in performing a serve.
Conclusion. The idiosyncratic probabilistic method can be applied for describing affective states and arousal levels associated with execution of different technical elements in an open motor skill. IAPZs can be applied to individual athletes for designing psychological interventions with the goal of stabilizing the athletes affective responses in a desirable fashion.