Frequency and perceptions of pre-competition symptoms (thoughts and feelings) in elite and non-elite athletes.

Abstract

Research has suggested that the measurement of competitive state anxiety may benefit from applying a more detailed approach, as oppose to the traditional intensity‐alone perspective (Jones & Swain, 1992). Thus, the purpose of this study is to extend the competitive anxiety literature, by modifying Marten’s original Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), to include scales for frequency (Swain & Jones, 1993) and perceptions of pre-competition frequency symptoms (Jones & Swain, 1992). This study aims to examine the differences in pre-competition symptoms and interpretations between elite and non elite athletes, preceding competition. Participants consisted of 93 England Rounder’s trialists, competing for a position in England’s U14 and U16 squads. Participants were asked to complete the 27 item questionnaire on three time periods (7 days, 1 day, & 1 hour) pre-competition. The modified CSAI-2 was distributed to the trialists through email, 7 days and 24 hours prior to the athlete’s trial. Participants were handed a final copy of the questionnaire to complete, 1 hour pre-competition. It was concluded that elite athletes do not differ from their non-elite athlete counterparts in their frequencies or interpretations of pre-competition anxiety symptoms. However, single time analysis suggested that elite athletes experience greater amounts of cognitive frequency, 1 hour pre-competition. Important practical implications emanated, particularly the need for coaches to encourage young athletes to gain more experience in a competitive sporting environment, to help them understand what anxiety is, and how it affects their performance. Additionally, the current findings identify the key roles that coaches and sport psychologists have in nurturing the athlete’s ability to redirect their symptoms of anxiety, to facilitate their performance.