| Psychological
states experienced by athletes prior to injured, best and worst performances
were investigated retrospectively using a mixed methodology. Fifty-nine
athletes volunteered to complete an individualized assessment of performance
states based on the Individual Zones of Optimal fFunctioning (IZOF)
model. A subsection (n = 30) of participants completed a standardized
psychometric scale (Brunel Mood Rating Scale: BRUMS), retrospectively
describing how they felt before best, worst, and injured performances.
IZOF results showed similar emotion states being identified for injured
and best performances. Analysis of BRUMS scores indicated a significant
main effect for differences in mood by performance outcome, with post-hoc
analyses showing best performance was associated with lower scores
on depression and fatigue and higher vigor than injured performance
and worst performance. Worst performance was associated with higher
fatigue and confusion than injured performance. Results indicate that
retrospective emotional profiles before injured performance are closer
to successful performance, than unsuccessful, and confirm differences
between successful and unsuccessful performance. Qualitative and quantitative
approaches used to retrospectively assess pre-performance emotional
states before three performance outcomes, produced complimentary findings.
Practical implications of the study are discussed.
KEY
WORDS: Emotion, mood, success, injury, measurement, performance.
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