Prapavessis, H. (2000). The POMS and sports performance: A review. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 12, 34-48.

A critical review of literature concerning mood states (POMS) and sport performance was conducted. The classical hypothesis regarding mood and performance, the existence of an iceberg profile was not consistently supported. It was proposed that such an artifact existed only when certain moderating factors were present. A better alternative, the Individual Zone of Optimal Function, was proposed.

The following were proposed as moderating variables involved in studies of mood and performance.

• Control confounding factors (e.g., status and events preceding mood testing).
• Substitute culturally appropriate adjectives for words that could be misunderstood.
• Determine the functional significance of POMS items by comparing them with athlete-generated terms.
• Assess performance in a consistent manner.
• Select sports where the time between mood assessment and performance is small (to avoid mood state fluctuations).
• Control for social desirability effects.
• Assess mood with some measure of physiological arousal.

Implication. POMS is not related to sports performance in a meaningful way.

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