Gymnastics Skills and Abilities Quiz

Skill and Ability

• Skills are learned and performed consistently using correct technique.
• Abilities are inherited traits that remain relatively stable throughout life.
• Abilities help people learn skills.

The Beam

• Balance is an inherited ability that allows gymnasts to develop beam skills more easily.
• Practicing is necessary to achieve technically sound handstand splits on the beam.

Types of Skill

• Skills can be classified as closed or open.
• Closed skills are performed in a stable environment, while open skills are performed in an unstable environment.
• Skills can be fine or gross.
• Fine skills involve small, precise movements and small muscle groups, requiring precision and accuracy.
• Gross skills involve large body movements and large muscle groups, not needing precision.
• Skills can be self-paced or externally paced.
• Self-paced skills are controlled by the performer, whereas externally paced skills are influenced by outside factors.
• Skills can be basic or complex.
• Basic skills require few decisions and are often taught to beginners.
• Complex skills involve many decisions and take considerable time to master.

Inverted U Theory

• Arousal is a physical and mental state of alertness and excitement.
• Physical manifestations include increased heart rate and sweating,.
• Athletes need to control arousal levels to maintain optimal performance.
• Yerkes-Dodson law: optimal performance happens at medium arousal. Too high or too low arousal hinders performance.

Arousal Levels

• Some sports need higher arousal levels (e.g., rugby tackling).
• Other sports need lower arousal levels (e.g., cricket fielding) to concentrate.

Controlling Arousal

• Techniques like self-talk, visualisation, and deep breathing can help manage arousal.
• Examples of athletes who use these techniques include Ronaldo, Jonny Wilkinson, Serena Williams.
• Specific examples include Ronaldo using deep breathing, Jonny Wilkinson using mental rehearsal, and positive self-talk for other athletes.

Descriptions

• Deep Breathing: A physical technique involving controlled breathing to manage arousal.
• Mental Rehearsal: A tool similar to visualization where performers mentally rehearse a skill to prepare for their performance.

Personality

• Sport psychologists study athlete personality to understand differences.
• Personality categories include introverts and extroverts.

Personality = Introvert or Extrovert

• Introverts typically don't require high arousal levels, tend to be shy, quiet, and thoughtful.
• Introverts commonly choose individual sports that involve fine skills.
• Extroverts require high arousal levels, are more sociable, and can lack concentration.
• Extroverts typically excel in team sports requiring gross motor skills and a fast pace.

Motivation

• Motivation is the drive to succeed or the desire to achieve something.
• Motivation can be classified as intrinsic or extrinsic.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

• Intrinsic motivation comes from within the performer, leading to feelings of pride, satisfaction, and general achievement.
• Extrinsic motivation comes from outside sources, such as rewards (tangible or intangible) from others.
• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations can work together.