External factors in sport contexts include?

• A. Personal issues
• B. Eye/hand coordination
• C. Aesthetic factors
• D. Affect from crowd, coaches, family, significant others

Answer: (D)

External factors are elements outside the performer that can influence performance, especially the social environment. The impact of spectators (crowd) can raise or lower arousal and focus, affecting performance depending on how well the task is learned. Coaches shape performance through feedback, expectations, and communication, which can boost or undermine confidence and motivation. Family and significant others provide emotional support or pressure, influencing stress levels and mental readiness. Because these influences come from outside the individual, they are considered external factors.

Personal issues are internal psychological factors, eye/hand coordination is a perceptual-motor skill within the performer, and aesthetic factors relate to the appearance or style of the performance rather than the surrounding social environment.