AFAA Personal Trainer Certification Practice Exam

What might focusing solely on performance in goal setting lead to?

1. Enhanced enjoyment and satisfaction

2. Higher levels of anxiety and stress

3. Certainty in achievement

4. Greater self-efficacy

The correct answer is: Higher levels of anxiety and stress

Focusing solely on performance in goal setting can lead to higher levels of anxiety and stress because individuals may place excessive pressure on themselves to achieve specific outcomes. When goals are centered exclusively around performance metrics, such as weight lifted or time taken in a race, it can create a fear of failure or concern over not meeting those specific standards. This pressure can manifest as anxiety, as individuals might constantly worry about their ability to reach those fixed objectives. Moreover, performance-based goals can overshadow personal progress and enjoyment, leading to an unhealthy relationship with fitness or exercise. The fear of not achieving set performance goals can detract from the intrinsic motivations that often enhance enjoyment and satisfaction in physical activity. Therefore, while performance goals can certainly be important, they need to be balanced with process-oriented goals that emphasize growth, learning, and enjoyment to keep anxiety and stress at bay.