Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Research Articles

Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2R (CSAI-2R): Adapting and Validating Its Indonesian Version

The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI) is claimed to be the most popular measuring instrument used by researchers in revealing competitive anxiety in athletes. However, the research report stated that the instrument had psychometric weaknesses, so the CSAI was revised to CSAI-2R. Currently, there are not many tests on the psychometric properties of the latest version of the CSAI. The aim of this study is to test the CSAI-2R in the Indonesian version. A total of 200 elite Papuan Indonesian athletes (120 males, 80 females) whose mean age was 21.98 years, SD = 5.07 took part in the study. There are three instruments used in the study, namely CSAI-2R, Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), and Spirituality in Sports Test (SIST). The statistical analysis used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the internal consistency testing used Cronbach Alpha. The finding shows that the model fits on several parameters including RMSEA = .045, GFI = .919, CFI = .964, TLI = .955, PNFI = .717, and PGFI = .661. The factor loading value of each item ranges from .44 to .83 with squared multiple correlations ranging from .19 to .69. The reliability values range from .61 to .86. Overall, the convergent validity test shows a correlation coefficient value of .722, while the divergent validity test shows that the correlation coefficient value is not significant (r = -.120). The conclusion of this study is that the Indonesian version of the psychometric property of the CSAI-2R is a valid and reliable competitive anxiety measurement instrument for measuring athlete anxiety.

Gender and Age Influence in Pre-Competitive and Post-Competitive Anxiety in Young Tennis Players

To study the influence of age and gender on pre-competitive and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence in young tennis players. A total of 42 U’12 to U’18 category tennis players, 12 females and 30 males, participated in this cross-sectional study. The players had a mean age of 13.74 (2.07) years old and a national competitive experience of 4.00 (2.14) years. The pre-competitive anxiety of the participants was assessed using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2R (CSAI-2R) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-E) before and after an official tournament’s match. Results showed that younger players showed lower trait anxiety (r = 0.333; p < 0.05), lower pre-match state anxiety (r = 0.501; p < 0.01) and lower pre-match somatic anxiety (r = 0.313; p < 0.05). Furthermore, girls exhibited higher values of state anxiety (r = 0.445; p < 0.01) and somatic anxiety (r = 0.440; p < 0.01) than boys before the match. However, differences were not observed in the trait anxiety measured by STAI-E (r = 0.203; p = 0.213), cognitive anxiety (r = 0.140; p = 0.363), and self-confidence measured by the CSAI questionnaire (r = 0.150; p = 0.333), before the match. Therefore, coaches and sport psychologists should implement adequate on- and off-court individualized interventions to manage anxiety, specifically in girls and players over 14 years old. Although anxiety levels were similar to those before the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the influence of the pandemic on mental health, results might be taken with caution.

ANSIEDADE PRÉ-COMPETITIVA E SINTOMAS DE BURNOUT EM ESCOLARES PRATICANTES DE ESPORTES

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare pre-competitive anxiety and burnout symptoms of adolescents participating in the Arapiraca-AL School Games according to age group and practice time. Participated in the research 120 young adolescents (101 boys and 19 girls) participating in the futsal (n = 94) and handball (n = 26) in the the Arapiraca-AL School Games in the year 2020. The instruments used were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R) and the Athletes Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Data analysis was conducted performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and “U” Mann-Whitney tests (p <0.05). The results showed that adolescents had a higher self-confidence score (Md = 5.00), followed by cognitive anxiety (Md = 3.20) and somatic anxiety (Md = 2.83). Regarding burnout, score a higher was observed in the reduced sense of dimension of accomplishment (Md = 2.83), followed by the dimensions of physical and emotional exhaustion (Md = 2.50) and sports devaluation (Md = 2.14) . No significant difference was found (p> 0.05) found when comparing the dimensions of pre-competitive anxiety and burnout according to the time of practice (Table 3). It was concluded that age and time of practice were not involved in the symptoms of pre-competitive anxiety and burnout of adolescents participating in the School Games.

Preliminary Assessment of Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning Model Applied to Music Performance Anxiety in College Piano Majors.

Individual zone of optimal functioning (IZOF) is a psychological model studied and applied to quantify athletes’ anxiety and predicts their achievement in sports competitions. This study aimed to determine the application of the IZOF model to evaluate music performance anxiety (MPA) in pianists because the causes of anxiety in athletes and musicians may be similar. A total of 30 college-level piano-major students were included in the study, and the anxiety level in performance was scored by the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 questionnaire. In the first phase, participants recalled and self-scored the four important performances in the past year. Notably, seven piano teachers scored the performances. Both results were combined to identify the individual IZOF zone. Each student showed different anxiety scores for cognitive state anxiety (CA), somatic state anxiety (SA), and self-confidence (SC). In the second phase, all participants scored their anxiety level 1 day before the final performance, and the same judges evaluated the performance immediately afterward. A total of 60% of the participants who had at least two subscales inside the IZOF received performance scores greater than 90. In conclusion, the IZOF model provides information for both piano teachers and pianists to help review their anxiety intensity and predict their performance scores to some extent.

Relationship between sleep quality, mood state, and performance of elite air-rifle shooters

BackgroundTo evaluate the impact of pre-competition sleep quality on the mood and performance of elite air-rifle shooters.MethodsElite shooters who participated in an air-rifle shooting-competition from April 2019 to October 2019 were evaluated using actigraphy, including Total Sleep Time (TST), Sleep Efficiency (SE), Sleep Latency (SL), Wake-time after Sleep Onset (WASO). Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Profile of Mood State (POMS). Mood state was assessed by Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2.ResultsStudy included 23 shooters, of them 13 male and 10 female with the mean age 23.11 ± 4.82 years. The average time to fall asleep was 20.6 ± 14.9 min, TST was 7.0 ± 0.8 h and SE was 85.9 ± 5.3%. Average sleep quality was 5.2 ± 2.2 and tended to decrease as the competition progressed. Pre-competition sleep time in female athletes was significantly higher compared to the competition day (P = 0.05). Pre-competition SL was significantly longer in women than in men (P = 0.021). During training and pre-competition, the tension, fatigue, depression, and emotional disturbance were significantly lower in athletes with good sleep quality. Athletes with good sleep quality had significantly more energy. The PSQI total score positively correlated with cognitive anxiety (r = 0.471, P < 0.01), and somatic anxiety (r = 0.585, P < 0.01), and negatively correlated with energy (− 0.504, P < 0.01) and self-confidence scores (r = − 0.523, P < 0.01).ConclusionPoor sleep quality negatively impacted the mood of athletes; however, sleep indices and competition performance of athletes during competitions were not significantly correlated.

Coaching effectiveness and coach–athlete relationship model offers possibilities solution for competitive anxiety of young athletes

Background: Coaching effectiveness leads to successful athletes, including athlete's development and performance, positive psychological progress and athlete outcomes. The coach–athlete relationship referred to all the conditions where the feelings, thoughts and behaviours of coach and athlete are mutually and casually related to each other. While, anxiety is an experience of an unpleasant athlete's psychological and physiological feeling. However, the existing literature on the influence of coaching effectiveness and the coach–athlete relationship does not investigate specifically competitive anxiety.Aims and Objectives: This current study aims to investigated athletes' perception of coaching effectiveness, coach–athletes' relationship and competitive anxiety experience of the athletes.Methods: One hundred and fifty-two (n = 152) athletes from various team sports completed a questionnaire pack assessing the study variables. The coaching effectiveness scale, coach–athlete relationship questionnaire and competitive state anxiety inventory-2 were used as an instrument for this study.Results: Results revealed that there were significant correlations between all the factors of coaching effectiveness and all the factors of the coach–athlete relationship. However, the anxiety assessment indicated a positive, negative significant correlation with the factors of coaching effectiveness and factors of the coach–athlete relationship. Further, there were no significant differences among all the factors of coaching effectiveness between genders except 'technique effectiveness'. Next, there were no significant differences in the coach–athlete relationship between genders except for 'commitment'. However, results revealed that there were significant differences in anxiety assessment except 'cognitive anxiety' between genders.Conclusion: The competitive anxiety experience of athletes the performance of the athletes is based on how effective their coaches to influence the athletes and how they work together. Thus, do coaching effectiveness and coach–athlete relationship stand out as the fundamental factors in issues of athlete's anxiety? It might be yes as the effectiveness of the coach and relationship with the athletes is the main causes that determine the enthusiasm of a team and the athlete's confidence.

A pilot study on emotional intelligence &amp; its impact on pre-competitive anxiety: How does it operate in the non-WEIRD Indian sport context?

This pilot study examined the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and precompetitive anxiety in a multiple sport sample in a non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) Indian context. We hypothesized a divergent operation of variables in the Indian context, which is a contrast to Eurocentric populations represented in literature. Participants were 150 full time Indian athletes across five sports (tennis, badminton, cricket, football, basketball). Competitive state anxiety inventory-2 (CSAI-2) and Emotional intelligence scale (EIS) were administered pre sport competition using a quantitative, cross-sectional research design. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicates a significant negative correlation between EI and competitive anxiety. Mann-Whitney U test revealed no statistical differences between genders in both variables across sport types. Self-confidence had a positive relationship with dimensions of EI. This pilot study holds significance in providing basic understanding of the operational dynamics of the variables in an Indian context where no prior literature exists. Results diverge from established patterns in WEIRD, Eurocentric countries. Results are inferred and their contribution of cross-cultural insight adding value to the predominantly Eurocentric literature of sport psychology is discussed using the lends of cultural sport psychology.

“We React Less. We React Differently. We React Better”: A Case Study of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Olympic Referee Performance

This case study details the experience and results of the first author’s work as a clinical sport psychologist contracted by the International Volleyball Federation to develop and deliver a mindfulness-based intervention to volleyball and beach volleyball referees leading up to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Interviews with the referee commission revealed referees’ high levels of pre- and in-game stress, which can inhibit their cognitive decision-making ability needed to perform at a high level. A five-stage (emotional intelligence, stress management skills, concentration, mental imagery, and motivation) mindfulness-based intervention was developed to address referees’ attentional skills, emotional readiness, and mindful awareness. The five stages were delivered over the 4 months preceding the Games, where the clinician was also available on-site for individual preparation. Referees completed pre- and postintervention quantitative (Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, and Concentration Skills Self-Help Test) and qualitative surveys as well as a post-Olympics evaluation of the practical tools introduced during the mindfulness-based intervention. In-game performances were evaluated by referee delegates prior to and at the Olympics. Analysis of the data showed significant positive changes in the mindfulness factors observing and nonreaction, referees’ concentration skills, and the evaluations of in-game performances. Multiple tools were reported to be highly useful and frequently implemented, including during the Olympics.

The impact of Mindfulness and Mental Skills Protocols on Athletes’ Competitive Anxiety

Abstract Study aim: This study aims at examining the impact of Mindfulness and mental skills on competitive anxiety in athletes. Material and methods: The present study is quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design. Participants were 45 19–30 years old male shooters randomly assigned to three groups with 15 people. The test consisted of six 60-minute mindfulness training/Mental skills/control that lasted six weeks. Measurements included competitive state anxiety based on the competitive state anxiety inventory in two pretest and post-test stages. Data were analyzed using statistical software at a confidence level of 0.05 using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The results showed that cognitive interventions of Mindfulness and mental skills reduced competitive state anxiety (P &lt; 0.05), but there was no difference between the effectiveness of these methods. (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Six weeks of mindfulness and mental skills training can help improve athletic performance by reducing anxiety levels.

COMPARAÇÃO DOS NÍVEIS DE ANSIEDADE ENTRE MODALIDADES ESPORTIVAS COMPETITIVAS E DE APRESENTAÇÃO

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety is part of the sporting context, in pre-competitive moments it is more evident, and can be observed from performance and high performance sports to presentation sports. Studies strongly demonstrate the significant influence of this issue in the competitive moment, and comparisons between group sports and dances were not identified in the literature. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the differences in anxiety dimensions between futsal and competitive dance modalities. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study with a convenience sample composed of participants in futsal and dance competitions. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R) was used, with face-to-face and online application. Descriptive statistics were performed, with frequency distribution, mean, median and interquartile range. And inferential analysis with Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Poisson regression. RESULTS: Study with 116 individuals from all 05 Brazilian regions, where 58.6% practiced futsal and 41.4% dance. Somatic anxiety is different between both groups (p=0.013), with scores of 2.55 ±0.10 for dancers and 2.21 ±0.92 for futsal players, even adjusted for age (PR=1.12; 95%CI 1.03-1.20; p = 0.004). Among futsal players 29.4% have already been diagnosed with anxiety, compared to 39.6% of dancers. CONCLUSION: The comparison of anxiety between dancers and Brazilian futsal players showed that somatic anxiety presents higher values among dancers than futsal players, with dance having a 1.12 higher prevalence of developing cognitive anxiety, regardless of age.

The Effectiveness of Performance Routines on Competitive State Anxiety and Perceived Performance of Baseball Player

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of routine training on competitive state anxiety and the perceived performance of a university baseball player. The participant of this single-case experimental study was a university baseball player. Three measures (competitive state anxiety inventory-2, perceived performance inventory, and interview) were utilized to verify the effectiveness of the routine training program. The routine training was applied to the participant on 3 times a day, 3 times a week for 3 weeks (9 sessions). Competitive state anxiety and perceived performance were measured before/after 3-week performance routine application training. The results of this study were as follows. First, the routine training decreased the intensity of cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety of the participant. Also, the routine training increased the intensity of self-confidence of the participant. Second, the routine training positively changed the direction of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence of the participant. Third, the routine training increased the perceived performance of the participant. Lastly, the participant positively recognized competitive state anxiety and perceived performance through routine training.

Mental toughness as predictor of state anxiety of Serbian athletes

The goal of this research was to test whether and to what extent mental toughness contribute to the explanation of state anxiety in athletes. This study relied on a multidimensional construct of anxiety which includes somatic and cognitive anxiety. Dimensions of anxiety were measured with “Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2” (cognitive and somatic anxiety), and mental toughness was measured with “Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire”. The research sample consisted of 117 athletes, 67 men and 50 women, who have been actively engaged in various competitive sports. The structure of the sample by age was: 64 athletes are from 20 to 25 years old; 19 respondents aged 25 to 30; 31 athletes aged 30 to 35; and 4 respondents are over 35 years old. The results showed statistically significant correlations between dimensions and overall mental toughness on the one hand and cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety on the other. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with the aim of predicting the dimensions of anxiety based on mental toughness. Based on the dimensions of mental toughness, 25% of the variability of cognitive anxiety and 22% of somatic anxiety were explained. Self-confidence as a dimension of mental strength is a predictor of all dimensions of the state of anxiety. This study has indicated a great significance of developing athletes’ mental toughness with the goal of reducing anxiety and achieving better performance in competitions.

Increased Anxiety and Decreased Confidence Lead to Poorer Short-Passing Performance in Collegiate Soccer Players

Introduction: Competitive soccer players are required to perform short passing under stressful conditions; their success may be related to their self-confidence and anxiety levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between short-passing ability and anxiety and self-confidence among collegiate soccer players. Methods: Seventeen Division III collegiate soccer players (20.0 ± 1.0 years, 65% female) completed the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI), Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT), Trait Sport-Confidence Inventory (TSCI), and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2R) and the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Spearman’s rho (rs) was used to identify if a relationship between these inventories and LSPT time existed. Results: Mean LSPT total time was 55.7 ± 12.0 seconds. We observed positive relationships between SCAT and LSPT total time (rs = .51, p = .04) and CSAI-2R and LSPT total time (rs = .55, p =.03). Furthermore, a strong negative relationship was found between TSCI and LSPT total time (rs = -.68, p = .004). Conclusions: There is a relationship between anxiety, confidence and short-passing performance in collegiate soccer players. Coaches should consider interventions to decrease players’ anxiety and improve self-confidence in preparation for soccer competition.

ANALYSING THE PRE-COMPETITION ANXIETY AMONG BASKETBALL PLAYERS UNDER EIGHTEEN BASED ON THEIR POSITIONS

Psychological factors are some of the factors influencing a player's achievement in basketball tournaments. A survey study was conducted to compare the pre-competition anxiety level based on the players’ positioning among 144 male basketball players who are under 18 years old in Sabah. The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) which was translated into the Malay language was used as the main instrument in this study along with the Kruskal-Wallis Test. The findings indicated that there is no significant difference in the pre-competition anxiety level among the players based on their positioning χ2(2) = 3.742, p = .154 (p&gt; .05). The findings of the cognitive anxiety subscale also were found to be insignificant based on the positioning; χ2(2) = 1.938, p = .380 (p&gt; .05). The somatic anxiety of the pre-competition findings also showed no difference based on the positions of players; χ2(2) = 1.509, p = .470 (p&gt; .05). Moreover, the values for subscale of confidence was also found to be insignificant; χ2(2) = 1.565, p = .457 (p&gt; .05). Therefore, the study found out that the environmental factors play a crucial role in reducing the basketball players’ pre-competition anxiety. The coaches and trainers should consider these environmental factors in improving their players’ pre-competition anxiety, thus allowing them to compete and perform at their best state of mind.

A Randomized Crossover, Pilot Study Examining the Effect of Acupuncture in the Management of Competitive Anxiety in Athletes.

Excessive competitive anxiety induces adverse effects on athletic performance and planning efficient management methods is crucial. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of acupuncture on competitive anxiety. In this cross-over study, 20 male soccer players under 21 years (U-21) were randomized equally into acupuncture or control groups. The acupuncture group received acupuncture on fifteen anxiety-related points and the control group received acupuncture on fifteen points unrelated to anxiety for thirty minutes. We measured the participants' resting heart rate and galvanic skin conduction and asked them to answer the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) questionnaire at baseline and the end of the intervention. We detected a significant treatment effect in the cognitive anxiety level (-1.05 ± 0.91; p = 0.02) but not in the somatic anxiety level (-0.46 ± 1.68; p = 0.43), Sport Self-Confidence (-1.06 ± 2.21; p = 0.11), heart rate (0.20 ± 2.2; p = 0.93), and skin conductance (-0.50 ± 0.77; p = 0.19). Based on these results, acupuncture might decrease cognitive anxiety but might not affect somatic anxiety.

Comparison of pre-competitive anxiety between futsal players of sub-16 and sub-19 category

The aim of the study was to compare the values of anxiety in futsal players from different age categories. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 18 male futsal players which 9 of them are from the under-16 category (mean=16 years) and 9 from the under-19 category (mean=18.22 ±0.22 years). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) questionnaire was used, which was applied 30 minutes before the games. Results and Discussion. In individual values, in the sub-16 category, 100% of the players expressed Self-confidence higher than the values of Cognitive Anxiety and Somatic Anxiety and 66.66% of the players had Cognitive Anxiety less than Somatic Anxiety. In the under-19, individual data showed that 88.88% of the players had higher self-confidence than the values of Cognitive Anxiety and Somatic Anxiety. Also 77.77% of the players expressed lower Cognitive Anxiety values than Somatic Anxiety. In relation to the averages, the players in the sub-16 and under-19 categories presented in Low Cognitive Anxiety, Medium Somatic Anxiety and High Self-confidence. The under-16 and under-19 showed similarity in Cognitive Anxiety. In the under-19, Somatic Anxiety was superior to the under-16 and greater Self-confidence in the under-16. In both categories, the anxiety values had the same classification. Conclusion. In terms of average values, anxiety between the categories were different, however, the classification of anxiety was the same.

Competitive anxiety or Coronavirus anxiety? The psychophysiological responses of professional football players after returning to competition during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the relationship between competitive anxiety, fear/anxiety of COVID-19, and autonomic and endocrine stress responses in professional football players after returning to competition during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsNinety male professional football players (age: 26.33 ± 2.48 yr) volunteered to participate in this study, which included an official competition. Psychophysiological responses, including the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 Revised, were collected 30 min before the competition. In addition, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) and salivary cortisol (sCort) were collected at 8 a.m. and 15 min before the competition. ResultsThe main findings, based on the Pearson correlation, showed significant positive correlations between COVID-19 anxiety and somatic competitive anxiety (p = 0.01), cognitive competitive anxiety (p = 0.01), and competition response of sCort and sAA (p = 0.01). Moreover, fear of COVID-19 was positively correlated with COVID-19 anxiety (p = 0.01). On the contrary, the awakening response of sCort and sAA was not found to be correlated with psychological parameters (all p > 0.05). The analysis also indicated that there was no significant correlation between self-confidence with other psychological and physiological variables (all p > 0.05). The regression analysis showed that cognitive anxiety was a relevant predictor for the competition response of sCort and sAA (p < 0.05). Moreover, COVID-19 anxiety was the only predictor of somatic and cognitive anxiety (p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe present study provides the first preliminary evidence that COVID-19 anxiety and competitive anxiety might pose a negative impact on the athletic performance of professional football players during COVID-19 pandemic competitions. Thus, research is needed to build a strategy to reduce the psychophysiological stress related to COVID-19 and competition response.

Sports Pre-Competitive Anxiety Levels among Good and Poor Performing Intercollegiate Athletes

Pre-competitive anxiety refers to the unpleasant emotional state of individuals. It is normal for every athlete to feel nervous before a sports competition. The pre-competitive anxiety levels in the current study examined three features i.e. somatic anxiety, self-confidence, and cognitive anxiety between the sample of poor and good performing athletes. The assessment has been made by using competitive state anxiety inventory -2 (CSAI-2), which is composed of 27 items distributed in equal three subscales of pre-competitive anxiety. The sample of the study was composed of 180 performers of different sports, into groups of 90 each good and poor performer whose ages were between 16 to 27 years. Data collected has been analyzed using a T-test. A significant difference has been found in all of the components of pre-competitive anxiety i.e. cognitive anxiety, self-confidence, and somatic anxiety among good performers and poor performers.

Analysis of Sports Anxiety Levels among Experienced and Inexperienced Collegiate Athletes

The study examined to analyze the different levels of pre-competitive anxiety for inexperienced and inexperienced athletes. The pre-competitive anxiety factors were evaluated with the help of competitive state anxiety inventory – 2 (Urdu version). CSAI-2 questionnaire is composed of twenty-seven items having three subscales e.g. cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. A sample of 360 athletes was taken through a stratified sampling technique for the examination of pre-competitive anxiety levels. The data of 360 athletes were further stratified into two sets of 180 experienced and 180 inexperienced athletes between the ages of 16 to 27 years. The questionnaire was distributed one hour before the start of the competition. T-test has been used to assess the data collected for investigation. The results displayed a significant difference in somatic, cognitive aspects of anxiety and self-confidence among the college-level experienced and inexperienced athletes.

Investigation of a Progressive Relaxation Training Intervention on Precompetition Anxiety and Sports Performance Among Collegiate Student Athletes.

This study aims to investigate whether simple and convenient progressive relaxation training (PRT) is effective in enhancing collegiate student athletes’ mental health and sports performance. An experimental group of 14 (6 female) and a control group of 10 (5 female) collegiate student athletes were recruited from among track and field athletes who were preparing for provincial competition. The experimental group was exposed to a PRT intervention in 30-min sessions conducted twice per week for a duration of one month. At baseline, the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale for Chinese (EPQ-RSC) were completed, while only the CSAI-2 was reassessed at one, two, and three weeks after initiation of the intervention. Additionally, within half a day after completing all one’s individual competition events, the CSAI-2 was again assessed in the two groups recalling their memory of their precompetition state anxiety. Then, the differences in the three dimensions of the CSAI-2 between the two groups at the five time points introduced above were compared. This study also explored whether PRT affected sports performance, defined by the athletes reaching their best records or not, by logistic regressive analysis. This study found significant between-group differences in the self-confidence dimension score at the second and third time points. Through logistic regression analysis, a positive effect of PRT was found for the enhancement of sports performance. In sum, PRT showed positive effects on precompetition state self-confidence and enhanced sports performance among collegiate student athletes.