Emotions, heart rate and performance in archery. A case study

Area of Science:

• Sports Psychology
• Psychophysiology
• Athletic Performance Analysis

Background:

• Investigated psychophysical reactions in elite athletes.
• Examined pre-performance emotions and their impact on athletic events.
• Tested the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model in archery.

Observation:

• Monitored emotions and heart rate of an elite female archer during practice and competition.
• Utilized an idiographic approach for emotion profiling based on recalled optimal and poor performances.
• Observed consistent shooting scores and heart rate deceleration during the 1996 European Archery Championships.

Findings:

• The athlete exhibited an individual pre-performance optimal emotion pattern.
• Actual pre-performance emotions aligned with recalled optimal patterns, predicting good performance.
• Heart rate deceleration during shooting was consistent with optimal functioning.

Implications:

• Pre-performance emotion assessment can predict athletic success.
• The IZOF model provides a framework for understanding individual emotional states in sports.
• Findings support the link between psychophysical states and consistent athletic performance.