Perceived impact of anger on performance of skilled karate athletes

ObjectiveAlthough previous research has provided evidence of the facilitating effects of anxiety upon athletic performance, research attention on the impact of other discrete emotions has been scarce. Therefore, this study, based on the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model (Hanin, 2000, Hanin, 2003 and Hanin, 2007) investigated anger and anger-related symptoms and the functional impact upon karate performance.MethodHigh-level karate athletes (N = 20; M age = 24.95, 17–38 yrs. old) were asked to recall their best and worst performances and to identify from two to three significant situations prior to, during, and after both performances. They completed the state anger subscale of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2; Spielberger, 1999) for each situation identified. Trait of anger, expression and control of anger were also assessed on the corresponding STAXI-2 scales.ResultsLarge inter-individual variability in anger intensity was found, with anger intensity levels associated with best and worst performances being low, moderate or high for different athletes. In best performances, the intensity of experienced anger was perceived as increasing the generation of energy whereas in worst performances, anger reflected an ineffective generation and utilization of resources.ConclusionThe findings extend earlier IZOF-based research on anxiety, providing support for the notion of optimal and dysfunctional performance-related anger. Further research on the study of performance-related anger and other clusters of pleasant and unpleasant emotions is warranted.

► We examined the functional impact of anger on highly-skilled karate athletes. ► Athletes recalled their best and worst competitions and reported the intensity of their situational anger in three (prior to, during, and after) performance situations and the functional impact on performance. ► As expected, high inter- and intra-individual variability in anger intensity was found. For some athletes, anger was perceived as facilitating for their performance. Facilitating impact of anger reflected an availability of resources and coping skills in best competitions. Debilitating effects reflected either a lack of energy or resources or an ineffective utilization of resources. ► Overall, the results provide support for the notion of optimal and dysfunctional performance-related anger.