title: The fourth dimension: A motoric perspective on the anxiety-performance relationship.
abstract: This article focuses on raising concern that anxiety-performance relationship theory has insufficiently catered for motoric issues during, primarily, closed and self-paced skill execution (e.g., long jump and javelin throw). Following a review of current theory, we address the under-consideration of motoric issues by extending the three-dimensional model put forward by Cheng, Hardy, and Markland (2009) ('Toward a three-dimensional conceptualization of performance anxiety: Rationale and initial measurement development,Psychology of Sport and Exercise,10, 271-278). This fourth dimension, termedskill establishment, comprises the level and consistency of movement automaticity together with a performer's confidence in this specific process, as providing a degree of robustness against negative anxiety effects. To exemplify this motoric influence, we then offer insight regarding current theories' misrepresentation that a self-focus of attention toward an already well-learned skillalwaysleads to a negative performance effect. In doing so, we draw upon applied literature to distinguish between positive and negative self-foci and suggest thaton whatandhowa performer directs their attention is crucial to the interaction with skill establishment and, therefore, performance. Finally, implications for skill acquisition research are provided. Accordingly, we suggest a positive potential flow from applied/translational to fundamental/theory-generating research in sport which can serve to freshen and usefully redirect investigation into this long-considered but still insufficiently understood concept.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Coaching and Performance, University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK , PR1 2HE.
authors.forename: Howie J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Coaching and Performance, University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK , PR1 2HE.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collins
keywords: Automaticity; choking under pressure; focus of attention; robust sport-confidence; skill acquisition; skill establishment