Experience in sport and its relationship with competitive anxiety

Abstract

This qualitative paper aimed to provide an in-depth conceptualisation of experience in sport and improve the understanding of how experience influences the competitive anxiety response. 'Experience' themes were generated that were related to facilitative interpretations of the anxiety response. The narrative provided suggested that gaining experience and using reflective practice enabled performers to cognitively familiarize themselves with anxiety symptoms. The athletes then rationalized their thoughts and feelings thus enhancing the coping response. Neil contributed to question generation, draft writing and editing of the manuscript.