Explain the concept of ego depletion and its impact on an athlete's performance. (4 marks)
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Sample Answer
- Ego depletion refers to the depletion of mental resources after repeated self-regulation efforts.
- This occurs because self-regulation is viewed as a limited resource that can be exhausted through repeated use.
- As a result, an athlete experiencing ego depletion may struggle to maintain performance standards due to diminished capacity to control thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
- Factors that contribute to ego depletion include sleep deprivation, intense training, travel, illness, and high-pressure situations, which deplete mental resources.
- Consequently, when experiencing ego depletion, athletes may display poor decision-making, emotional outbursts or decreased adherence to strategy, which undermines overall performance effectiveness.
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Sample Answer
- Ego depletion refers to the depletion of mental resources after repeated self-regulation efforts.
- This occurs because self-regulation is viewed as a limited resource that can be exhausted through repeated use.
- As a result, an athlete experiencing ego depletion may struggle to maintain performance standards due to diminished capacity to control thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
- Factors that contribute to ego depletion include sleep deprivation, intense training, travel, illness, and high-pressure situations, which deplete mental resources.
- Consequently, when experiencing ego depletion, athletes may display poor decision-making, emotional outbursts or decreased adherence to strategy, which undermines overall performance effectiveness.