PERFORMANCE AFFECT IN JUNIOR ICE HOCKEY PLAYERS - AN APPLICATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL ZONES OF OPTIMAL FUNCTIONING MODEL

Individual patterns of positive-negative affect (PNA) were studied in 46 ice hockey players, ages 15-17 years. Recall idiographic scaling fo llowing the methodology of the individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF) model was used to identify subjective emotional experiences re lated to each player's successful and unsuccessful game performance. I ndividual zones for each emotion were then estimated using Borg's Cate gory Ratio (CR-10) scale. Different positive and negative emotions wer e functionally facilitating (20.5%), debilitating (25.3%), or both (54 .2%). Significant differences were revealed only at intra- and interin dividual but not at the group level. Optimal and nonoptimal zones for different emotions in different players were also individual. The data support and extend Hanin's IZOF model to the content and intensity of PNA in ice hockey. Implications for the development of sports-specifi c scales, idiographic assessments, and application of the IZOF model i n team sports are suggested.