Psychological processes of peak, average, and failing performance in sport

To compare psychological processes of peak, average, and failing performance in sport, the Experience Questionnaire was administered to adults who were not elite athletes. Data included 20 peak performances, 38 average performances, and 18 failing performances, all self-assessed. Discriminant analyses and MANOVAs differentiated performance level by psychological processes. Analyses of variance and post hoc range tests defined processes of the three performance levels. Superior sport performance and even average performance, but not failure, were playful, fun, and sociable. Peak performance in spout runs rewarding and fulfilling, perhaps even triggering ecstasy or peak experience. A peak dyad-full, clear focus on task, on self on relevant others and on the interactive process-best described the psychological constellation of peak performance in sport.