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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.

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New
New
AQA

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.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The inverted-U theory illustrates that performance improves with arousal up to an optimal point and then declines.
  2. The inverted-U graph shows performance on the y-axis, arousal on the x-axis, with a curve shaped like an upside down U.
  3. Optimal performance occurs at a moderate level of arousal. Arousal levels too high or too low can impair performance.
  4. 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.

This is a great topic to relate to personal experiences. Ask students to share stories of when they have performed their sport under low, optimal or over aroused states and how it impacted their performance.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Graph paper to draw inverted-U graphs

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put these statements in order, in terms of how alert the person is. Lowest level of alertness first.
1 - someone in a deep sleep
2 - someone awake but feeling tired and lethargic
3 - someone feeling alert and ready for any challenge
4 - someone so intensely excited they can't control themselves
Q2.
Which of these is most likely to get someone very excited or anxious?
getting ready to relax after a long training run
Correct answer: preparing to play in a cup final in front of a big crowd
meeting friends to play snooker
revising for a GCSE PE test
Q3.
Which of these needs the most energy and effort to perform it successfully?
archery
football throw-in
cricket bowling
Correct answer: rugby tackle
Q4.
Which of these describes someone who is 'in the zone'.
they feel sleepy and lacking in energy
the are overstimulated and make unusual decisions
Correct answer: they make all the right decisions and perform well
Q5.
Match the emotion to the most likely effect on sports performance.
Correct Answer:stressed,makes it harder to focus

makes it harder to focus

Correct Answer:relaxed,helps you to keep calm

helps you to keep calm

Correct Answer:focussed,make good decisions

make good decisions

Correct Answer:bored,become disinterested

become disinterested

Q6.
Which of these do you think the word inverted means?
Correct answer: turned opposite way from usual
turned on its side
turned inside-out
turned backwards

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
This inverted-U graph highlights the area known as what?
An image in a quiz
low arousal
Correct answer: optimal arousal
high arousal
Q2.
Which of the following best describes the effect of under arousal on performance?
increased motivation and focus
Correct answer: decreased energy and lack of engagement
enhanced reaction time
reduced anxiety
Q3.
Match the level of arousal to the performance outcome.
Correct Answer:optimal arousal,optimal performance, alert and focused

optimal performance, alert and focused

Correct Answer:low arousal,decreased performance due to lack of energy

decreased performance due to lack of energy

Correct Answer:high arousal,decreased performance due to anxiety and stress

decreased performance due to anxiety and stress

Q4.
Put these statements in the correct order as the inverted-U moves from left to right.
An image in a quiz
1 - Deep sleep (lowest arousal level)
2 - Too little arousal (lack of energy or focus)
3 - Moderate arousal (optimal performance)
4 - Performance begins to decline (due to excess anxiety or stress)
5 - Too much arousal (stress or anxiety)
Q5.
Unsporting behaviour is most likely to occur in which level of arousal?
An image in a quiz
low arousal
optimal arousal
Correct answer: high arousal
Q6.
Different skills require different optimal levels of arousal. From lowest to highest, put these skills in order of optimal arousal level.
1 - archery
2 - badminton serve
3 - long jump
4 - power lifting
Q5 PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock.com

Lesson appears in

UnitPhysical education / Sports psychology: mental preparation for performance

AQAPhysical education

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