Don't worry about it! : the anxiety reducing effects of pre-performance routines on basketball free throws.

Abstract

Pre-performance routines have been found to enhance performance in many sports. These routines may have effects both cognitively and physiologically on those who perform them. Difference in physiological arousal, as measured by heart rate, was measured on participants during a basketball free throw under varying pressure situations. One treatment condition was given a pre-performance routine as means of controlling arousal. Those who received a pre-performance routine experienced less physiological arousal on Day 1 and Day 3 when compared to the no-routine control condition. Findings suggest that the implementation of a pre-performance routine prior to basketball free throws may help decrease physiological arousal.