Inverted-U theory
I can explain and interpret the inverted-U theory of arousal and its impact on performance, including drawing and labelling a graph.
Inverted-U theory
I can explain and interpret the inverted-U theory of arousal and its impact on performance, including drawing and labelling a graph.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The inverted-U theory illustrates that performance improves with arousal up to an optimal point and then declines.
- The inverted-U graph shows performance on the y-axis, arousal on the x-axis, with a curve shaped like an upside down U.
- Optimal performance occurs at a moderate level of arousal. Arousal levels too high or too low can impair performance.
- Optimal arousal levels differ according to whether the skill being performed is gross or fine.
Keywords
Arousal - a physical (physiological) and mental (psychological) state of alertness/readiness, varying from deep sleep to intense excitement/alertness
Optimal arousal - the arousal level required for peak performance
Inverted-U theory - a theory which relates levels of arousal with performance in sport
Common misconception
The more arousal you have, the better you perform.
The inverted-U theory recognises that after an optimal level of arousal, performance will deteriorate with any further heightening of arsoual levels.
To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: Inverted-U theory, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 physical education lesson on: Inverted-U theory, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Sports psychology: mental preparation for performance unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Graph paper to draw inverted-U graphs
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
makes it harder to focus
helps you to keep calm
make good decisions
become disinterested
Exit quiz
6 Questions
optimal performance, alert and focused
decreased performance due to lack of energy
decreased performance due to anxiety and stress
