A Cross-cultural Study of Precompetition Anxiety and Performance in Diving

Abstract

1517 Hanin's (1980) Individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF) theory contends that for each individual there exist a specific range, or zone, of state anxiety that is most conductive to superior performance. However, comparable information is not available in junior divers. PURPOSE: The intent of this study was to test the efficacy of Hanin's IZOF theory to explain the relationship between precompetition anxiety (PCA) and performance with 22 junior divers having different nationalities (14 Japanese and 8 American). METHODS: Each diver first completed the state version of the SATI (Japanese or English version, Form X-1) utilizing the standard instructional set, and this served as a baseline measure. Then divers performed retrospective recall of past competition modeled after a protocol described by Hanin. This was achieved by having the divers fill out the state version of SATI three separate time on the basis of how they recall feeling immediately before the:(a) best, (b) worst, (c) best of the most difficult dive during their previous season. RESULTS: The result indicated that PCA was significantly greater than baseline for recall of best, worst, best of the most difficult dive performances (P<0.05). In accordance with IZOF theory, considerable variation was found in the range of recalled best PCA (IZOF) and 72.7% of divers reported performing best at either low or high levels of PCA. In the contrast of cultural difference, while Japanese showed significant elevation in PCA for all recalled conditions, American elevated PCA only in the recalled worst condition (P<0.05). In addition, Japanese possessed higher recalled best PCA than that of American's (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings support Hanin's Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning Theory despite of the cultural difference. It possibly imply that coaches and divers should maintain their PCA level within their IZOF to perform best rather than merely lowering PCA levels for all divers that is generally used in relaxation technique based on the Inverted-U hypothesis.