Examination of Anxiety Levels: Practice vs. Competition among High School Track and Field Athletes
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Somatic and cognitive state anxiety levels can increase before a competitive event which can result in decreased performance and increase injury risk. Identifying situations that could cause high levels of anxiety are important so that proper anxiety management techniques can be implemented. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare levels of somatic and cognitive anxiety as well as self-confidence among high school track and field athletes prior to practice and competition. METHODS: One high school track and field team (n=16: male n=8, female n=8) completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) survey prior to competition and again prior to practice. The CSAI-2 contains three subscales (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence). The CSAI-2 subscale scores were compared between the pre-practice and the pre-competition scenarios with paired t-tests (α<0.05). RESULTS: Statistical differences in the subscale scores (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence) were found between practice and the competition (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the parameters of this study, anxiety appears to be higher and self- confidence lower prior to a competition versus practice. Future research should examine if such a relationship exists among other high school sports.
Authors: Sarah Hurst, Abigail Larson, Mark DeBeliso
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3206943708