Non-qualifiers had lower arousal levels and less control. Before the qualifiers' best events, arousal levels were lower than before their worst events. Those levels were also lower than non-qualifiers. Elite gymnasts considered the initiation of the final warm-up as the start of the contest. Gymnastics requires a high degree of precision skill and so arousal levels are controlled to facilitate good performances.
Lesser athletes get over-aroused and use considerable negative thinking.
Precompetition routines need to be practiced, controlled, task-specific, and positively oriented. Return to Table of Contents for this issue .