Abstract
In two experiments, we examined whether training with anxiety can prevent choking in experts performing perceptual-motor tasks. In Experiment 1, 17 expert basketball players practised free throws over a 5-week period with or without induced anxiety. Only after training with anxiety did performance no longer deteriorate during the anxiety posttest. In Experiment 2, 17 expert dart players practised dart throwing from a position high or low on a climbing wall, thus with or without anxiety. Again, only after training with anxiety was performance maintained during the anxiety posttest, despite higher levels of anxiety, heart rate, and perceived effort. It is concluded that practising under anxiety can prevent choking in expert perceptual-motor performance, as one acclimatizes to the specific processes accompanying anxiety. © 2009 The Experimental Psychology Society.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1631-1647 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2009 |