The general purpose of this paper is to critically review the literature on
precompetitive mood states (using the POMS) and sport performance. Specifi
cally, important interpretative, conceptual, and methodological issues are
examined to provide direction for future research. A position is taken that
the Mental Health Model (iceberg profile) may not be the most suitable fra
mework for understanding how precompetitive mood states are related to spor
t performance. A promising alternative approach is Hanin's Individual Zone
of Optimal Function (IZOF) model.