Precompetition emotions, bodily symptoms, and task-specific qualities as predictors of performance in high-level karate athletes

The study, based on the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model, examined the practical utility of precompetition idiosyncratic emotions, bodily responses, and task-specific qualities (physical, technical, and tactical performance characteristics) in predicting the performance of ten Italian high-level karate athletes. First, athletes recalled their best and worst performances to develop individualized scales (profiles) with 33-idiosyncratic items (12 items for emotions, 12 for bodily responses, and nine for task-specific qualities). These scales were then used to assess the athletes’ actual emotions, bodily responses, and task-specific qualities 15 minutes prior to the first-round fight in ten competitions across the entire season. It was revealed that idiosyncratic emotions and bodily responses differentiated between successful and less than successful (average) performances. These findings provide empirical support for the validity and practical utility of the in/out-of-zone notion extended to bodily symptoms. In contrast, relatively stable, task-specific characteristics did not differentiate between individually good and average situational performances. Future directions and practical implications of the study are suggested.