The potential effects of relevant symptoms perceived by athletes and coping strategies upon athletics performance in competitive sport events

Abstract

Objectives: The current study aimed to underline the relevant symptoms perceived by athletes as well at examining the coping strategies which help them improve their performance in competitive sport events. Methods: 18 Tunisian national male athletes specialty 400m were voluntary recruited for this study. All of them were ranked in the top scorers at Tunisian national championship and competing at recent World Championships. Athletes first completed the inventory of stress symptoms before the competition and immediately following the trial, then they were asked to complete the Inventory Questionnaire of Coping Strategies in Sports competition. Results: The findings revealed that the development of the physical and psychological symptoms can impair the performance of the athletes. To cope with this stress, athletes use the Task-focused coping strategies and especially Effort expenditure and relaxation one. Likewise, athletes used more often Seeking support and Distraction distancing when the source of stress was related to physical problems. Conclusion: Its recommend that coaches should keep up related strategies in training sessions in order to control and modify the tension and stress before competition in a planned and regular method and coping strategies