Q.1 Which of the following is the most common physiological response to acute stress in athletes?
Increased heart rate
Decreased respiration
Lowered blood pressure
Reduced muscle tension
Explanation - Acute stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and muscle tension as part of the 'fight or flight' response.
Correct answer is: Increased heart rate
Q.2 Which technique involves focusing on present sensations to reduce anxiety before competition?
Progressive muscle relaxation
Mindfulness meditation
Cognitive restructuring
Visualization
Explanation - Mindfulness meditation emphasizes awareness of the present moment without judgment, helping athletes manage anxiety and enhance focus.
Correct answer is: Mindfulness meditation
Q.3 The inverted-U theory of arousal suggests that performance is optimal at:
Low levels of arousal
Moderate levels of arousal
High levels of arousal
Zero arousal
Explanation - The inverted-U hypothesis states that performance improves with arousal to a certain point (moderate), after which further arousal decreases performance.
Correct answer is: Moderate levels of arousal
Q.4 Which coping strategy focuses on changing the athlete’s thoughts about a stressful situation?
Problem-focused coping
Emotion-focused coping
Cognitive restructuring
Relaxation techniques
Explanation - Cognitive restructuring involves identifying and challenging negative thoughts, replacing them with more adaptive, positive thinking.
Correct answer is: Cognitive restructuring
Q.5 Which hormone is primarily associated with the body's stress response?
Insulin
Cortisol
Dopamine
Serotonin
Explanation - Cortisol, released by the adrenal glands, is the main hormone associated with stress, influencing metabolism, immunity, and energy levels.
Correct answer is: Cortisol
Q.6 Which relaxation method involves tensing and then relaxing specific muscle groups?
Biofeedback
Progressive muscle relaxation
Autogenic training
Meditation
Explanation - Progressive muscle relaxation reduces muscle tension by sequentially tensing and relaxing major muscle groups, helping to manage stress.
Correct answer is: Progressive muscle relaxation
Q.7 Which of the following best describes pre-competition anxiety?
A positive emotional state that enhances performance
A negative emotional state that always hinders performance
A multidimensional response including cognitive and somatic components
An irrelevant psychological factor in sports
Explanation - Pre-competition anxiety consists of both cognitive (worry, negative thoughts) and somatic (physical symptoms) components, affecting performance differently.
Correct answer is: A multidimensional response including cognitive and somatic components
Q.8 Visualization or mental imagery is used in stress management to:
Increase muscle fatigue
Rehearse successful performance
Reduce heart rate permanently
Suppress emotions completely
Explanation - Visualization allows athletes to mentally rehearse skills and successful outcomes, reducing anxiety and building confidence.
Correct answer is: Rehearse successful performance
Q.9 Which type of anxiety refers to the general tendency to perceive situations as threatening?
State anxiety
Trait anxiety
Competitive anxiety
Performance anxiety
Explanation - Trait anxiety is a personality characteristic reflecting a consistent tendency to interpret situations as threatening, unlike state anxiety which is situational.
Correct answer is: Trait anxiety
Q.10 Breathing exercises help manage stress primarily by:
Increasing adrenaline
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system
Raising cortisol levels
Suppressing dopamine production
Explanation - Controlled breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and counteracting stress responses.
Correct answer is: Activating the parasympathetic nervous system
Q.11 Which of the following is a cognitive technique for reducing sports anxiety?
Muscle stretching
Goal setting
Meditation
Visualization
Explanation - Goal setting provides structure and focus, reducing uncertainty and anxiety by giving athletes clear objectives to achieve.
Correct answer is: Goal setting
Q.12 Which theory suggests that too little or too much stress can negatively affect performance?
Drive theory
Inverted-U theory
Self-determination theory
Social facilitation theory
Explanation - The inverted-U theory posits that performance is optimal at moderate arousal; very low or very high stress impairs performance.
Correct answer is: Inverted-U theory
Q.13 Which of the following is NOT considered a somatic anxiety symptom?
Sweaty palms
Rapid heartbeat
Negative thoughts
Muscle tension
Explanation - Somatic anxiety relates to physical symptoms like sweating, muscle tension, and rapid heartbeat; negative thoughts are cognitive symptoms.
Correct answer is: Negative thoughts
Q.14 Which intervention is most suitable for long-term stress management in athletes?
Progressive muscle relaxation
Acute pre-game pep talk
Cognitive restructuring
Both A and C
Explanation - Progressive muscle relaxation and cognitive restructuring are effective long-term strategies for managing stress and anxiety in athletes.
Correct answer is: Both A and C
Q.15 Which of the following describes the primary goal of biofeedback in sports psychology?
Increase competitive aggression
Monitor and control physiological responses
Improve skill execution through practice
Boost team motivation
Explanation - Biofeedback helps athletes gain awareness and control over physiological processes like heart rate and muscle tension to reduce stress.
Correct answer is: Monitor and control physiological responses
Q.16 Which is an example of emotion-focused coping in stress management?
Practicing a skill repeatedly
Reframing negative thoughts
Listening to calming music
Analyzing performance data
Explanation - Emotion-focused coping aims to regulate emotional responses to stress rather than directly changing the problem.
Correct answer is: Listening to calming music
Q.17 Which of the following is most effective for reducing pre-performance cognitive anxiety?
Meditation and mindfulness
Strength training
Aerobic conditioning
Skill drills only
Explanation - Mindfulness and meditation help athletes control racing thoughts and reduce cognitive aspects of pre-performance anxiety.
Correct answer is: Meditation and mindfulness
Q.18 Which concept refers to an athlete’s belief in their ability to succeed under stress?
Self-efficacy
Trait anxiety
Arousal
Motivation
Explanation - Self-efficacy is the confidence in one’s abilities to perform tasks under challenging or stressful conditions, influencing coping and performance.
Correct answer is: Self-efficacy
Q.19 Which is considered a maladaptive coping mechanism for stress in athletes?
Positive self-talk
Avoidance or denial
Deep breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation
Explanation - Avoidance or denial does not address the stressor and can increase anxiety over time, making it maladaptive.
Correct answer is: Avoidance or denial
Q.20 Which approach combines physical and mental exercises to reduce stress?
Autogenic training
Aerobic exercise only
Cognitive restructuring only
Skill rehearsal
Explanation - Autogenic training involves self-suggestions and physical relaxation exercises to produce a calm state, integrating mind and body techniques.
Correct answer is: Autogenic training
Q.21 Which factor can exacerbate pre-competition anxiety in athletes?
High self-confidence
Unclear performance expectations
Structured training
Positive social support
Explanation - Ambiguity about performance expectations increases uncertainty and anxiety, negatively affecting performance.
Correct answer is: Unclear performance expectations
Q.22 Which type of practice helps athletes reduce stress by simulating pressure situations?
Deliberate practice under low stress
Pressure or stressful simulations
Casual recreational play
Watching professional athletes
Explanation - Practicing under simulated pressure helps athletes adapt to stressors and manage anxiety during actual competition.
Correct answer is: Pressure or stressful simulations
Q.23 Which of the following best describes the function of self-talk in anxiety management?
Suppressing emotions
Influencing thoughts and confidence
Altering physical strength
Replacing practice sessions
Explanation - Positive self-talk helps athletes reframe negative thoughts, boost confidence, and reduce anxiety before and during competition.
Correct answer is: Influencing thoughts and confidence
Q.24 Which of the following is an example of a somatic relaxation technique?
Guided imagery
Progressive muscle relaxation
Cognitive restructuring
Goal setting
Explanation - Somatic relaxation focuses on reducing physiological stress symptoms; progressive muscle relaxation targets muscle tension.
Correct answer is: Progressive muscle relaxation
Q.25 Which of the following is true regarding competitive anxiety and performance?
All anxiety is harmful
Moderate anxiety can improve focus
Low anxiety always impairs performance
Anxiety has no relation to performance
Explanation - Some level of anxiety can enhance alertness and concentration, improving performance, consistent with the inverted-U hypothesis.
Correct answer is: Moderate anxiety can improve focus