Final answer:
Professional athletes may beat their personal best during competition due to an optimal level of arousal called eustress, which grants them enhanced focus and energy. Factors like increased adrenaline, trained skills, and precise nutrition contribute to reaching this state. Stress management and physical preparation play crucial roles in enabling athletes to perform at their peak. The correct answer is option A), B) and C).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asking why professional athletes may beat their personal best performances during competition involves understanding how physical and psychological factors interact. Increased adrenaline levels due to competition, a better training regimen leading to improved skills, enhanced mental focus during competitive events, and even random variation are all potential contributors to peak performance. The Yerkes-Dodson law indicates that moderate arousal can lead to the best performance, implying that being at a competition can elevate an individual's stress levels to just the right point, known as eustress, before it becomes distress. This optimal arousal level can help athletes feel fully energized and focused, bringing out their top performances. Eating habits before the competition, like having pasta for sustained energy the night before and simple sugars for quick energy, are parts of a well-designed nutrition plan to fuel the body for peak exertion.