Anxiety responses and psychological skill use during the time leading up to competition: Theory to Practice I

Abstract

This qualitative study, the first in a linked series, assessed facilitators’ and debilitators’ anxiety responses (intensity, direction and frequency of intrusions) and psychological strategy use during the 7 day cycle associated with team sports. Findings indicated three distinct phases of psychological preparation for performance and suggested facilitators possessed a refined repertoire of psychological skills to maintain optimum psychological during these times. The results emphasised the dynamic properties of the stress process and formulated a framework for evidence-based temporal interventions in applied settings. Thomas designed the study, collected and analysed the data, and was the primary writer of the manuscript.