114 Psychological correlates of performance in elite female basketball players

Abstract

Basketball is a fast-paced court sport currently played by over 100,000 females in Australia. Despite this popularity and the presence of a national competition since 1980, research into the sporting experience of elite female basketball players is limited. 19 elite female basketball players competing in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) participated in this research. A pre-screening questionnaire, the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT), and the Task-Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire were completed prior to the commencement of the 2002-3 season. During the season, players completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) 1-hour prior to each game Performance data was recorded for each player for each game. Results indicated that tension was significantly correlated with anger ( =.67, p<.05), and depression ( =.80, p<.01). Those participants with lower levels of fatigue ( =-.64, p<.05) and anger ( =-.87, p<.01) had a significantly higher free throw percentage. Those players who were more successful in converting free throw shots made significantly more personal fouls ( =.81, p<.01), thus suggesting higher involvement with the game. Interestingly significant differences were not found for home and away games on mood states such as anger (F(1 ,48) = .63, p = ..43), vigour (F(1 ,48) = .04, p = 85.), and fatigue (F(1 ,48) = 1.21, p = .277). Implications for the findings of this research may have practical application for coaches and players. Suggestions will be offered for further development of this research with female athletes.