The Impact of competitive state anxiety upon rugby performance in forwards and backs
Author
Davies, Gareth
Date
2014Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The purpose of the current study was to qualitatively examine the interpreted
symptoms of competitive state anxiety on rugby union forwards and back to derive
how and why these affect their performance. Through the practice of a qualitative
design, ten male, amateur rugby union players consisting of five forwards and five
backs were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide, aimed to investigate
the players’ identified pre-competitive anxiety symptoms and their interpretation of
how and why they affect their performance. Interviews were recorded and
transcribed before data analysis involving both an inductive and deductive
approaches to analyse each of the interview transcripts. Causal networks
demonstrated the interpretations of forwards and backs identified cognitive and
somatic anxiety symptoms on performance. The causal networks revealed no
differences between forwards and backs of how and why identified symptoms
affected performance, suggesting anxiety management interventions can generalise
across both positions. Self-confidence and perceived control were both identified as
factors which influenced the performer’s interpretation of anxiety symptoms. Coping
strategies were also utilised by performers to develop facilitative interpretations of
cognitive symptoms. Practical implications suggest that anxiety management
interventions should incorporate confidence protection strategies to protect against
debilitating effects of anxiety, also methods of developing perceived control of
symptoms. Sports psychologists should educate performers with coping strategies
and psychological skills aimed at developing their facilitative interpretations of
anxiety symptoms on performance
Description
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS)
SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
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