Abstract
It is well known that soccer sport has the potential for high levels of stress and anxiety and that these are linked to Cortisol (C) variations. To date, much research has been devoted to understanding how Oxytocin (OT) can affect anxiety in response to a challenge. The aim of this study was to investigate, in 56 young male soccer players, the psychophysiological stress response 96 and 24 h before one soccer match of a tournament, in order to establish whether athletes who won or lost, show different levels of C and OT or expressions of competitive state anxiety subcomponents. We found that winners had significantly lower Cognitive anxiety and higher Self-confidence scores than losers. Also, significant differences between winners and losers in C and OT concentrations were observed, with higher OT levels in who has won and higher C levels in who has lost. Our results showed interesting associations between OT, C, anxiety feelings, and the outcome of competition.
Highlights
It is well known that soccer sport has the potential for high levels of stress and anxiety and that these are linked to Cortisol (C) variations
In 56 male soccer players the intensity of anxiety was assessed by Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), 96 h and 24 h before the first match of soccer tournament
The aim of the study was to determine if the variations in psychological state and concentration of the endocrine variables examined, might be predictive of higher performance
Summary
It is well known that soccer sport has the potential for high levels of stress and anxiety and that these are linked to Cortisol (C) variations. Athletes’ emotional responses to competition have been studied within the specific area of sport psychology, with numerous researches focused on competitive state anxiety. It is fundamental for the athlete manage this emotion to improve the adaptability to c ompetition[3]. Filaire et al (2009), investigating the physiological and psychological states of tennis players in the first match day during a tournament, found that loser athletes were characterized by higher CA and Self-C scores than w inners[5].
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