ZONES OF OPTIMAL FUNCTIONING RESEARCH - A REVIEW AND CRITIQUE

This manuscript reviews and critiques Hanin's (1980, 1986) Zones of Op timal functioning (ZOF) state-anxiety performance relationship hypothe sis and the research that has been conducted to test its effectiveness . The review of the ZOF research revealed that it has fairly good supp ort, although a number of the the existing studies have inherent metho dological and/or conceptual limitations. One major weakness identified with the ZOF notion was its lack of any theoretical base. Hence, it w as emphasized that future investigators design studies aimed at better understanding ''why'' ZOFs exist and ''how'' they may influence athle tic performance via mechanisms such as attentional and muscle tension/ coordination changes. Finally, a number of future research directions were forwarded. These included: the need for more adequate and complet e ZOF tests; direct comparisons of the power of multidimensional and u ndimensional slate anxiety generated ZOFs to predict performance, ZOF task type performance studies;investigations integrating state anxiety ZOFs with other arousal-related emotions; studies aimed at extending and testing ZOFs in non-athletic performance domains; and examinations of how ZOFs develop in athletes.