Final answer:
The flow state in sports and exercise is best achieved with moderate arousal, which allows for optimal performance. Both under-arousal and over-arousal can negatively impact an athlete's ability to reach a flow state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The flow state in sports and exercise involves intense concentration, personal control, and is typically a pleasurable experience. It requires that arousal levels not be too high or too low. Arousal is necessary for achieving a flow state, as it provides the optimal level of physiological and psychological readiness for performance. Over-arousal can lead to anxiety, while under-arousal might result in apathy or boredom.
When looking at the physiological response to emotions, such as elation or fear, arousal can manifest as an accelerated heart rate, faster breathing, and increased energy levels. These responses are part of the fight-or-flight response, which is a fundamental stress response. However, it is the moderate arousal that is associated with the best performance and potential for a flow state, as both under-arousal and over-arousal can negatively impact performance.
Therefore, to achieve a flow state in sports and exercise, an athlete must have effectively managed stress and anxiety levels to foster a beneficial arousal level that is neither too low nor too high.