ABSTRACT
In addition to its criticality and primary higher order (PHO) tenets, the Theory of Critical Moments (TCM) advances a multidimensional mind-body model of sport performance. This neuropsychophysiological model of performance identifies key tendencies in neuroand psychophysiological responding that are thought to underlie peak performance during critical moments of competition. This model consists of an Athlete’s Profile of relative brain hemispheric activation at baseline (neuro-developmental trait component) and before critical moments of competition (PHO-state component), a heart rate variability profile marked by psychologically mediated heart rate deceleration during critical moments of competition, and a psychologically mediated muscle tension (EMG) control profile marked by reductions in tension in muscles nonessential to specific sport performance tasks during critical moments.
