Two-way MANOVA Research Articles

CHANGES IN PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS INDUCED BY SIMULATED DRIVING TASKS: MORNING VS. AFTERNOON SESSION

ABSTRACT Introduction: Driving fatigue is one of the most common causes for traffic accidents. Immobilization of legs, hip, and waist is thought to play a major role in driving fatigue, as it hinders blood circulation and induce hemodynamic changes. Objective: the objective of the study was to monitor changes in physiological parameters before and after in-door simulated driving tasks conducted in the morning as well as afternoon sessions. Methods: 40 young male subjects were randomly divided into morning (group A) and afternoon (group B) sessions and participated in the 90-min simulated in-door driving task. Before and after the task, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were measured using a novel wrist monitor ANSWatch® which utilized built-in bio-sensors in the cuff to acquire radial pulse waves directly. Palm temperatures were measured by a high-precision thermometer. A questionnaire ranking driving fatigue was filled by each volunteer before and after the driving task. Results: (1) From paired t-tests, both the morning and afternoon driving tasks caused decreases in HR and palm temperatures, and increases in HRV and VLF(AU) (Very low frequency(absolute unit)); For the morning session, LF(AU) (Low frequency(absolute unit)) and LF(NU)(Low frequency(normalized unit)) increased while HF(NU) (High frequency(normalized unit)) decreased; In contrast, LF(NU) and LF/HF decreased while HF(NU) increased for the afternoon session (all changes p<0.05). Systolic pressure was maintained in the morning session but dropped in the afternoon session (p<0.05). (2) From one-way and two-way MANOVA analyses, there was no significant difference between morning and afternoon session for the entire group of physiological parameters measured before or after driving tasks; However, LF(AU), LF(NU), and LF/HF three individual parameters measured before driving were higher in the afternoon session than in the morning session (p<0.05). (3) From written questionnaire, all subjects felt some degree of fatigue following the driving task. No statistical difference existed between the two driving sessions in terms of fatigue score baseline or score change due to driving. Conclusion: Multiple physiological parameters showed significant changes after simulated driving tasks. Distinct trends were found between the two driving sessions. In the morning session, poor circulation in the lower body (limbs, abdomen, and hip) caused decrease in palm temperatures and HR, but BP were maintained due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system as evidenced by increased HRV, LF(AU), and LF(NU). For the afternoon session, palm temperatures, HR and systolic pressure were all lowered. Parasympathetic nervous system was activated [indicated by increased HF(NU)] prompting the body to enter a sleepy state, which greatly increases accident risks in actual road driving. Monitoring of multiple physiological parameters in the study had gained great insight into mechanisms of homeo-stasis and provided a foundation in the future work to quantify driving fatigue in terms of degree of deviation from homeostatic states.

Safety leadership in the teaching laboratories of electrical and electronic engineering departments at Taiwanese Universities

Introduction Safety has always been one of the principal goals in teaching laboratories. Laboratories cannot serve their educational purpose when accidents occur. The leadership of department heads has a major impact on laboratory safety, so this study discusses the factors affecting safety leadership in teaching laboratories. Method This study uses a mail survey to explore the perceived safety leadership in electrical and electronic engineering departments at Taiwanese universities. Results An exploratory factor analysis shows that there are three main components of safety leadership, as measured on a safety leadership scale: safety controlling, safety coaching, and safety caring. The descriptive statistics also reveals that among faculty, the perception of department heads' safety leadership is in general positive. A two-way MANOVA shows that there are interaction effects on safety leadership between university size and instructor age; there are also interaction effects between presence of a safety committee and faculty gender and faculty age. Impact on Industry It is therefore necessary to assess organizational factors when determining whether individual factors are the cause of differing perceptions among faculty members. The author also presents advice on improving safety leadership for department heads at small universities and at universities without safety committees.

Students’ Attitudes Toward Chemistry Lessons: The Interaction Effect between Grade Level and Gender

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the interaction effect between grade level and gender with respect to students' attitudes toward chemistry lessons taught in secondary schools. The sample consisted of 954 chemistry students in grades Secondary 4–7 (approximately 16–19 years of age) in Hong Kong. Students' attitudes were surveyed using an attitude toward chemistry lessons scale (ATCLS), and subscale scores were produced on four dimensions: liking for chemistry theory lessons; liking for chemistry laboratory work; evaluative beliefs about school chemistry; and behavioral tendencies to learn chemistry. When the ATCLS data were subjected to two-way MANOVA, the interaction effect between grade level and gender on students' attitudes toward chemistry lessons was statistically significant. The interaction effect was attributable to scores on the theory lessons subscale and laboratory work subscale. Male students in Secondary 4 and 5 liked chemistry theory lessons more than their female counterparts. However, male students' liking for chemistry laboratory work declined when they progressed from Secondary 4 to Secondary 7; no such a significant decline in attitude toward chemistry laboratory work was found in females. Overall, both males and females were just marginally positive about chemistry lessons during the years of secondary schooling. Implications of these findings for curriculum design are discussed.

Effects of eight weeks of an alleged aromatase inhibiting nutritional supplement 6-OXO (androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione) on serum hormone profiles and clinical safety markers in resistance-trained, eugonadal males

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6-OXO, a purported nutritional aromatase inhibitor, in a dose dependent manner on body composition, serum hormone levels, and clinical safety markers in resistance trained males. Sixteen males were supplemented with either 300 mg or 600 mg of 6-OXO in a double-blind manner for eight weeks. Blood and urine samples were obtained at weeks 0, 1, 3, 8, and 11 (after a 3-week washout period). Blood samples were analyzed for total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, estriol, estrone, SHBG, leutinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), cortisol, FT/estradiol (T/E). Blood and urine were also analyzed for clinical chemistry markers. Data were analyzed with two-way MANOVA. For all of the serum hormones, there were no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). Compared to baseline, free testosterone underwent overall increases of 90% for 300 mg 6-OXO and 84% for 600 mg, respectively (p < 0.05). DHT underwent significant overall increases (p < 0.05) of 192% and 265% with 300 mg and 600 mg, respectively. T/E increased 53% and 67% for 300 mg and 600 mg 6-OXO, respectively. For estrone, 300 mg produced an overall increase of 22%, whereas 600 mg caused a 52% increase (p < 0.05). Body composition did not change with supplementation (p > 0.05) and clinical safety markers were not adversely affected with ingestion of either supplement dose (p > 0.05). While neither of the 6-OXO dosages appears to have any negative effects on clinical chemistry markers, supplementation at a daily dosage of 300 mg and 600 mg for eight weeks did not completely inhibit aromatase activity, yet significantly increased FT, DHT, and T/E.

Three-dimensional analysis of blade contact in an ice hockey slap shot, in relation to player skill

The purpose of this study was to examine the three-dimensional movement profile of the blade during a stationary slap shot, as a function of player skill level. A total of 15 subjects participated; eight were classified as elite and the remaining seven were recreational. Performances were evaluated by simultaneously recording the movements of the stick’s lower shaft and blade with high-speed video (1000 Hz), the time of stick–ground contact with two uniaxial forceplates and time of blade–puck contact with a uniaxial accelerometer mounted within the puck. Data were analysed with a two-way MANOVA for several dependent variables including linear kinematics, temporal phase data and global angles. The results indicated that skill level affected blade kinematics, with elite shooters tending to alter timing parameters (i.e. phase length), magnitude of linear variables (i.e. displacement, etc.) and the overall blade orientation to achieve a higher velocity slap shot. These analyses identified a unique ‘rocker’ phase within the execution of the slap shot in both groups.

Methods for improvement in estimation of a normal mean matrix

This paper is concerned with the problem of estimating a matrix of means in multivariate normal distributions with an unknown covariance matrix under invariant quadratic loss. It is first shown that the modified Efron–Morris estimator is characterized as a certain empirical Bayes estimator. This estimator modifies the crude Efron–Morris estimator by adding a scalar shrinkage term. It is next shown that the idea of this modification provides a general method for improvement of estimators, which results in the further improvement on several minimax estimators. As a new method for improvement, an adaptive combination of the modified Stein and the James–Stein estimators is also proposed and is shown to be minimax. Through Monte Carlo studies of the risk behaviors, it is numerically shown that the proposed, combined estimator inherits the nice risk properties of both individual estimators and thus it has a very favorable risk behavior in a small sample case. Finally, the application to a two-way layout MANOVA model with interactions is discussed.

Comparison of anaesthetists' activity patterns in the operating room and during simulation

This study investigated the behavioural aspects of ecological validity of anaesthesia simulation environments using a task analysis approach. Six anaesthesists were observed during two cases performed in the operating room (OR), one routine and two critical incident simulation scenarios. A two-way MANOVA for repeated measures was performed with the independent variables Case (OR/SIM-R/SIM-CI) and Phase Induction/Maintenance (Emergence), the latter being a repeated measure. Dependent variables were the proportion of each phase spent on each of the observation categories. Statistically significant main effects for Phase concerning communication, monitoring, manual tasks and documentation, for Case concerning communication and documentation, and a significant interaction effect for Phase × Case concerning manual tasks and other were found. Increased action density (i.e. amount of co-occurring activities) was observed during Induction, Emergence and the Management of simulated critical events. The similarities and differences in anaesthetists' activity patterns identified in this study will help to further improve the ecological validity of simulation environments as research settings.

The socio-cultural context of family caregiving and psychological distress: A comparison of immigrant and non-immigrant caregivers in Israel

The study aimed to examine the differences in caregiving context and psychological distress outcome between non-immigrant and immigrant caregivers; to investigate these differences by relationship type; and to examine the factors related to psychological distress. Spouse or adult child caregivers (213 non-immigrants and 206 immigrants from the Former Soviet Union) were interviewed. Based on stress and appraisal conceptual framework, caregiving stressors, primary appraisal, psychosocial resources, secondary appraisal and psychological distress were measured. A series of two-way MANOVA, followed by ANOVA, was used to examine the differences by immigration status, by relationship type and their interaction. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was conducted to examine variables associated with psychological distress. Negligible differences in caregiving stressors, but significant differences in caregiving primary and secondary appraisal, psychosocial resources and psychological distress were found by immigration status and by relationship type, and significant interactions only in caregiving primary appraisal. The regression models showed that the differences in psychological distress by immigration status and by relationship type were fully explained by caregiving stressors (care recipient's problem behavior), psychosocial resources (mastery) and caregiving secondary appraisal (role overload, captivity, economic difficulties). The results suggest that socio-cultural background and role relationship shape caregiving appraisal and psychosocial resources, and that these factors explain psychological distress outcomes.

Onsite Coping in Novice Climbers as a Function of Hardiness and Self-efficacy

The present study investigated the coping strategies used by novice climbers as a function of hardiness and self-efficacy Thirty physical education university students participated in a two-week climbing training program. Hardiness was assessed before the initiation of the training program, self-efficacy prior to the post-training climbing assessment, and coping strategies after the post-training climbing assessment. Two-way MANOVA revealed significant effects of hardiness on ‘cognitive engagement’ and ‘effort increase’, and a significant interaction between hardiness and self-efficacy on ‘behavioural disengagement’. The results of the study suggest that the coping approach should be further examined as a function of both individual and situational characteristics.

Direct and Indirect Effects of Completion Versus Accuracy Contingencies on Practice-Exam and Actual-Exam Performance

Students in four sections of an undergraduate educational course (two large and two small sections) took out-of-class practice exams prior to actual exams for each of five course units. Each course unit consisted of five class sessions focusing on a specific developmental theme. Some sections received practice-exam credit based on the number of items completed, whereas other sections received practice-exam credit based on the number of items answered accurately. The contingencies were applied only to the practice exams. A two-way MANOVA included two independent variables (practice-exam contingency and group size) and two dependent variables (practice-exam performance and unit-exam performance). The analysis revealed a main effect for both independent variables across both dependent variables, with students performing better under the accuracy than the completion contingency and better in the small than the large groups. One exception to this overall pattern was a non-significant difference between the large and small groups on the practice exams across both contingencies.

Acute effects of self-paced walking on urges to smoke during temporary smoking abstinence

Recent research highlights the need to extend our understanding of how exercise may aid smoking cessation, through exploration of different modes, intensity and duration of exercise. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a 1-mile self-paced walk on different measures of urges to smoke following temporary smoking abstinence. In a within-subject counterbalanced design, following 15 h of smoking abstinence, participants (N=15) exercised or sat passively on separate days. A single-item measure of strength of desire to smoke was administered during, immediately post, and at 10 and 20 min post-treatment. The two-factor Questionnaire for Smoking Urges, involving intention and desire to engage in smoking behaviour which is anticipated as pleasant, enjoyable and satisfying (desire-behave), and anticipation of relief from negative affect through smoking (desire-affect relief), was administered before and 20 min post-treatment. A two-way repeated-measures MANOVA revealed a significant overall interaction effect for time by condition for strength of desire to smoke, and the two QSU scales. Two-way repeated-measures univariate ANOVAs revealed significant interaction effects for time by condition for each of the three urges to smoke measures. Planned contrasts revealed that exercise reduced cigarette cravings for up to 20 min after exercise, in comparison with the control condition. ANCOVAs revealed mixed support for independent effects of exercise on all measures of urges to smoke. A self-paced walk, at a low intensity, lasting 15-20 min can have a rapid and measurable positive effect on both single and multi-item measures of urges to smoke, lasting at least 20 min, during temporary smoking abstinence.

Multiple effects of two drivers of agricultural change, labour shortage and water scarcity, on rice pest profiles in tropical Asia

The effects of shortage of agricultural labour, represented by direct-seeding technologies replacing transplanting, and of water scarcity, represented by limited water supply, on rice pests (pathogens, weeds, insects) were studied. The analysis was based on a field characterisation data set covering six sites in tropical Asia and several cropping seasons. Two-way ANOVAs and MANOVA were, respectively, used to test the effects of the two factors on individual rice pest injuries, and on the profile of injuries that an individual rice crop experiences over a cropping season. Fourteen injuries were considered, which individually were significantly ( P < 0.05) influenced by crop establishment (nine injuries), by water management (11 injuries), or their interaction (nine injuries). Multiple analysis of variance indicated that rice injury profiles, regionally, are altered by both factors. The results suggested that injuries caused by some pests would be enhanced (e.g., brown spot, planthoppers) or reduced (e.g., stem rot, sheath blight, rice whorl maggot) by crop establishment shifting from transplanting to direct-seeding. Water shortages, proxied in our data by poor water management, would favour some injuries (e.g., sheath rot, brown spot, neck blast, whiteheads) or suppress others (e.g., stem rot, sheath blight). Very strong increases in weed infestation were observed with both direct-seeding and poor water management. The results are discussed with respect to pest management in rice.

Age and Gender Effects on Global Self-Esteem and Physical Self-Perception in Adolescents

This study measured the effects of gender, age and their interaction on global selfesteem and physical self-perceptions (physical self-worth, PSW; physical condition, PC; physical strength, PS; attractive body, AB; sport competence, SC) of French adolescents. Global self-esteem (GSE) and physical self-perceptions were measured by the Physical Self Inventory. Participants were 605 adolescents assigned to groups on the basis of gender (males vs females) and age (from 11 to 16 years). Significant age, gender and interaction differences in the ratings were analysed using a two-way MANOVA design. An age effect was found on the GSE, PSW and AB scales and a gender effect was found on GSE and all physical self-perception scales. We found no interaction (age gender) effect. We discuss the separate effects of gender and age on GSE and physical self-perceptions in adolescents, as well as the lack of interaction effect.

유산소 운동이 Alcoholics의 자존감과 Stress에 미치는 영향

This study divides different exercise types into control group, walking exercise group and jogging exercise group to examine the effects of a regular aerobic exercise on alcoholics` pride and stress. Experimental groups are divided into walking exercise group and jogging exercise group, and walking exercise group keeps heart rates per minute as 40%HRmax(±5%) and jogging exercise group maintains mean heart rate per min. as 60%HRmax(±5%). Duration of exercise is 30 min. respectively for walking or jogging at a fixed pace. Measurement of observed variables was conducted at the stable state after maximum gradual load exercise with pretest before exercise therapy and after 8 and 12 weeks of exercise therapy. Observed variables include SCL-90-R 9 symptoms, 1 additional item and 3 whole indexes, frequency and percentage of each item are calculated, two-way MANOVA is conducted to test a significance of stress factors according to participation in sports and factors having a significant difference after MANOVA test have post-test by Tukey, and the following conclusions are obtained. 1. As a result of examining simple main effects in pride between the two group, comparative group had no significant change, but walking and jogging groups showed statistically significant difference. 2. As a result of conducting MANOVA to examine whether there is a significant difference in test results after 12 weeks of SCL-90-R, walking and jogging groups showed significant reduction in the side of SCL-90-R symptoms compared to non-exercise group. It is found from the above results that continuous aerobic exercise is very effective in reducing the whole symptoms related to personal stress. Therefore, the man enjoys drinking as one of stress solutions and since its repetition and dependence on alcohol bring about alcoholic, the effects of aerobic exercise are very affirmative.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition in Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Results of a Prospective Pilot Trial

Objective: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second commonest form of dementia. The response to acetylcholinesterase inhibition (AChEI) could be greater in DLB than in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) because cholineacetyl-transferase levels are more reduced in the former. This preliminary trial seeks to compare performances in cognitive tasks before and after tacrine administration in DLB and AD subjects. Methods: Six DLB and 6 AD patients were enrolled in an open, nonrandomized, intervention trial using 80 mg/day tacrine. Patients met ADRDA or DLB consortium criteria for probable diseases. Subjects were matched for Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, age and sex. Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (FAS) and Boston Naming tests were administered at baseline and at 6 months into treatment. Results: AD and DLB groups did not differ in initial mean total DRS scores. In the primary analysis, both groups declined during the course of treatment (–7.3 ± 4.2 and –16.8 ± 39.2 DRS points, respectively). Due to the large variability in DLB posttreatment scores, this group was divided post hoc into responders (DLBr) and nonresponders (DLBnr). The DLBr group outperformed the DLBnr group at baseline (p < 0.05) and, notably, in follow-up DRS test scores (p < 0.001). Two-way MANOVA comparing both DLB subgroups with either the entire AD cohort or similarly stratified AD subgroups showed a significant interaction (F = 7.6; p < 0.015), attributed mostly to declines in DLBnr group scores (p < 0.01). Surprisingly, on DRS memory subscale and FAS tests, there were significant improvements in DLBr scores (p < 0.02). A baseline MMSE (or DRS memory) score ≥15 predicted a positive response to tacrine in DLB. Acceleration of parkinsonism occurred in all DLB subjects. Conclusion: Results from a primary analysis of the therapeutic effect of 80 mg/day tacrine in DLB and AD were negative. However, post hoc analysis showed that mild to moderate DLB responds favorably to AChEI relative to AD through stabilization of global cognitive decline and improvements in specific cognitive areas. These results could be useful in the planning of a more definitive study.

A geometric morphometric analysis of cranial and mandibular shape variation of didelphid marsupials

The New World marsupial family Didelphidae is one of the oldest among mammals and is usually regarded as a morphologically conservative group. We analyzed cranial shape vari- ation among six species of the six largest living genera of the family using two-dimensional land- mark data. We captured and digitized video images of the skull and mandible for the following species: Caluromys philander (n = 65), Chironectes minimus (n = 30), Didelphis aurita (n = 70), Lntreolinu cwssicmdata (n = 37), Metachirus nudicuudatus (n = 77) and Philander frenuta (n = 62). Fourteen landmarks were defined for the lateral, 25 for the ventral, 23 for the dorsal views of the skull, and nine on the mandibular lateral view. Sex, species, and interaction effects were ana- lyzed with a two-way MANOVA on the matrices of coordinates aligned by general least squares. All four views had significant interactions. Canonical Variates Analysis was performed on sexes and species, and shape was regressed on the canonical variate scores for each species. Culuromys philander was clearly the most distinct species, with paedomorphic features that can be related to its arboreal habits. A conspicuous shortening of the rostrum distinguishes the highly carnivorous Lutreolinu r.rassic,audatn. Didelphis aurita and Philundel- fi-enata overlapped somewhat, reflecting shape similarities associated with their phylogenetic affinities, while the few differences observed are probably allometric consequences of size differences. P hilundu fienufa and Chironcctes min- inzus showed similar cranial shapes, while MPtuc,hirus nrrdicaudatlrs was distinctive with a broad and elongated rostrum. In spite of an overall similar shape, the geometric morphometric approach revealed several marked differences among species that can be related to their phylogenetic origin and their adaptive zone.

SQUAT AND DEADLIFT BIOMECHANICS: DOES SEGMENTAL LENGTH AFFECT PERFORMANCE?

752 The purpose of this study was to analyze the linear and angular kinematics of the trunk, and upper and lower extremities as the subjects performed a squat and deadlift during a competitive powerlifting event. The sample group consisted of 25 male powerlifters from 5 different weight classes. The athletes were video-recorded (60 Hz) while performing competitive lifts at a regional powerlifting event. Data were reduced with a Peak Performance motion analysis system. Two positions were chosen as significant events in which the "sticking region" and "sticking point" were defined. A two-way MANOVA was used for the statistical analysis. The data were analyzed to determine similarities and differences between weight groups and lift types for the specified variables at each position (alpha of 0.05). No significant differences were found between or within the weight groups, indicating the kinematic variables were not influenced by body weight. However, significant differences were revealed for segmental lengths between lift types. The results suggest that segmental lengths may have an effect on the amount of weight a competitor is able to lift successfully.

A test of the acoustic adaptation hypothesis in four species of marmots

Acoustic signals must be transmitted from a signaller to a receiver during which time they become modified. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis suggests that selection should shape the structure of long-distance signals to maximize transmission through different habitats. A specific prediction of the acoustic adaptation hypothesis is that long-distance signals of animals in their native habitat are expected to change less during transmission than non-native signals within that habitat. This prediction was tested using the alarm calls of four species of marmots that live in acoustically different habitats and produce species-specific, long-distance alarm vocalizations: yellow-bellied marmot,Marmota flaviventris; Olympic marmot,M.olympus; hoary marmot,M.caligata; and woodchuck,M.monax. By doing so, we evaluated the relative importance the acoustic environment plays on selecting for divergent marmot alarm calls. Representative alarm calls of the four species were broadcast and rerecorded in each species’ habitat at four distances from a source. Rerecorded, and therefore degraded alarm calls, were compared to undegraded calls using spectrogram correlation. If each species’ alarm call was transmitted with less overall degradation in its own environment, a significant interaction between species’ habitat and species’ call type would be expected. Transmission fidelity at each of four distances was treated as a multivariate response and differences among habitat and call type were tested in a two-way MANOVA. Although significant overall differences in the transmission properties of the habitats were found, and significant overall differences in the transmission properties of the call types were found, there was no significant interaction between habitat and call type. Thus, the evidence did not support the acoustic adaptation hypothesis for these marmot species. Factors other than maximizing long-distance transmission through the environment may be important in the evolution of species-specific marmot alarm calls.

Loneliness and coherence among preschool children with learning disabilities.

This study investigated loneliness and coherence among Israeli preschool children with learning disabilities, in an attempt to identify the sources of social deficits before academic failure was established. The sample consisted of 187 preschool children divided into three groups: (a) 60 children at high risk for developing learning disabilities (LD) in six mainstreamed preschool settings (47 boys and 13 girls), (b) 76 nonhandicapped peers from the same preschools (56 boys and 20 girls), and (c) 51 children (38 boys and 13 girls) at high risk for developing LD who were regular students at 17 preschools and received special help in the afternoons outside their educational settings, at a regional learning center for students with LD. The research instruments consisted of the Children's Sense of Coherence Scale, the Loneliness Scale, a peer nomination procedure, and teachers' ratings. Two-way MANOVAs demonstrated that the two groups of children (Groups [A] and [C]) with LD and with a high risk for developing learning disabilities experienced higher levels of loneliness and lower levels of coherence. A subgroup examination revealed that they were less accepted by nondisabled peers and had less reciprocal nominations. Furthermore, their teachers viewed them as showing more maladjustment.

Positive and negative affect as predictors of competitive anxiety

This study investigated relationships between the intensity (i.e. level) and direction (i.e. interpretation of anxiety as either debilitative or facilitative) dimensions of multidimensional competitive trait anxiety and the two mood structures of Positive (PA) and Negative Affect (NA). The Competitive Trait Anxiety Inventory—2, minus the self-confidence subscale and modified to include a directional subscale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were administered to a sample of sports performers ( n = 309). Correlation analyses revealed that NA was more related to anxiety intensity than was PA. In contrast, levels of PA were more strongly related than NA to the directional interpretations that individuals tended to attach to their cognitive and somatic anxiety symptoms. PA and NA scores were then dichotomized as individual difference variables into high and low categories via the median split technique. Two two-way MANOVA's were carried out using the CTAI-2 intensity and direction subscales respectively as dependent variables. Both MANOVA's were significant ( P < 0.01) and follow-up means comparison tests showed the importance of NA alone in mediating the intensity of cognitive and somatic anxiety, whilst PA played a more significant role than NA in the interpretation of both cognitive and somatic anxiety. These results support the need to distinguish between the intensity and direction dimensions of competitive anxiety, whilst providing information on dispositional antecedents of these subscales.