Reference no: EM133635104

Assignment:

Sports psychology:

Apply the concept of stress to Naomi Osaka's docuseries, using this format:

1. "Hook" or a sentence to capture the reader's attention

2. Brief background information on the subject

3. What is known, or NOT known on this subject.

4. What do you want to convince the reader of (thesis)

5. What are your supporting "signposts" or "points" to back-up your thesis

6. For your essay logic, you need to think about WHAT are you trying to convince the reader of, then support that with evidence from the literature, and then bring to the attention of the reader, what the impact of this is? What is the effect? Why should they care?

7. Try not to just list facts, presume the reader is lazy, stupid, and mean, leave no guess work to the reader for their own interpretation. I would suggest taking a first year english or writing class to solidify these skills.

Reference:

Physiological Responses:

Fight or Flight: When Osaka talks about the pressure, sacrifices, and expectations, it reflects the physiological responses associated with stress. The body's stress response, involving increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin conductance, is activated.

Sleep Disturbances: Osaka mentions difficulty sleeping due to fear and loneliness. This can be linked to the body's stress response, where heightened vigilance and arousal disrupt normal sleep patterns.

The present study sheds light on the intricate relationship between emotional states and performance in ultra-endurance athletes, specifically cyclists participating in the Race Across America (RAAM). The emotional responses documented during the RAAM, influenced by factors such as sleep deprivation and negative energy balance, mirror the findings of previous research on multistage ultra-endurance athletes (Hulton et al., 2010; Lane and Wilson, 2011; Pedlar et al., 2007). This context provides a valuable framework for understanding the physiological responses associated with stress, which resonate with the experiences articulated by Naomi Osaka.

Osaka's discussion of pressure, sacrifices, and expectations aligns with the emotional turmoil observed in cyclists during the RAAM. The physiological responses to stress, characterized by an increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin conductance, as noted in the present study, are consistent with the "fight or flight" response (Cannon, 1915). In Osaka's case, these physiological markers might be activated as a result of the stressors she faces in her competitive environment.

Furthermore, the study delves into the impact of sleep disturbances on emotional regulation in cyclists. The difficulty Osaka expresses in sleeping due to fear and loneliness can be linked to the disruption of normal sleep patterns, a phenomenon observed in the cyclists participating in the RAAM. The stress-induced heightened vigilance and arousal, as evidenced by the cyclists' experiences, provide a relevant framework for understanding Osaka's challenges in achieving restful sleep.

Incorporating the insights from the study on cyclists into the analysis of Osaka's situation offers a comprehensive perspective on the interplay between physiological responses, emotional states, and performance in high-pressure scenarios. By drawing parallels between the two contexts, we gain a nuanced understanding of how stress and its physiological manifestations can impact athletes across different disciplines.

This integrated approach not only strengthens the present study's findings but also enhances the applicability of the research to real-world scenarios, such as the challenges faced by elite athletes like Naomi Osaka.

Frame, M. C., & Reichin, S. (2019). Emotion and sport performance: Stress, anxiety, arousal, and choking. In M. H. Anshel, J. A. Steinfeldt & T. A. Petrie (Eds.), APA handbook of sport and exercise psychology, volume 1: Sport psychology (pp. 219-243). American Psychological Association.