Work

Delayed inhibition in high trait anxiety athletes: Evidence from an event-related potential study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the influence of trait anxiety on information processing in athletes, a topic that has yet to be examined thoroughly. We compared the information processing stages of individuals with high and low levels of trait anxiety using event-related potentials (ERPs). A total of 24 collegiate athletes participated in this study. ERPs (Go-N2, Go-P3, NoGo-N2, and NoGo-P3) were measured while participants performed the oddball task. The high-trait anxiety group demonstrated delayed latency of NoGo-P3. However, reaction time was unaffected by trait anxiety. These findings indicate that in athletes, trait anxiety affects neural information processing while leaving behavioral indicators, such as reaction time, unaffected. This insight has substantial implications for understanding the mechanisms by which trait anxiety contributes to performance deficits in athletes. Moreover, this study has the potential to inform new psychological support strategies to address performance impairments related to trait anxiety.

Source: Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajsep.2025.08.002

Authors: Koki Watanabe, Taiga Arii, Takayuki Sugo, Hironobu Tsuchiya

Institutions: Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, Mukogawa Women's University

Language: English

Topic: Sport Psychology and Performance

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $980