{"id":348,"date":"2009-07-10T03:57:00","date_gmt":"2009-07-10T03:57:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2015-10-02T23:24:35","modified_gmt":"2015-10-03T04:24:35","slug":"competitive-state-anxiety-among-junior-handball-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/competitive-state-anxiety-among-junior-handball-players\/","title":{"rendered":"Competitive State Anxiety among Junior Handball Players"},"content":{"rendered":"
Submitted by: S. Rokka, G. Mavridis, E. Bebetsos, K. Mavridis – Department of Physical Education & Sport Science – Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini<\/div>\n

Abstract<\/h3>\n

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of intensity and direction of the competitive state anxiety in junior handball players prior to a competition and to investigate any possible differences between male and female players, as well as in relation to their athletic experience. The sample of the study consisted of 115 handball players, members of eight handball teams (four male and four female), which participated in the Greek Junior Handball Championships finals held in Athens in 2008. For the data collection, the model used was the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-II (CSAI-II, Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1983; Martens et al., 1990; Jones & Swain, 1992), which was modified for the Greek population by Stavrou, Zervas, Kakkos & Phychoudaki (1998). All players filled in the questionnaire 30 minutes before the competition. The results showed that male junior handball players reported lower scores of cognitive anxiety, which was facilitative to performance. On the other hand, females displayed a higher score in cognitive anxiety, which was rather debilitative to performance. Furthermore, junior male handball players displayed higher self-confidence, with positive effects on their performance, while female handball players stated lower self-confidence, which was neither facilitative nor debilitative to performance. In relation to years of experience, the results revealed that players with four to six years of experience showed higher self-confidence with facilitating direction, while players with less years of experience displayed lower self-confidence, with neither facilitative nor debilitative effects on their performance. In conclusion, the psychological preparation of junior handball players must be taken into serious consideration, during the coaching procedure. Nonetheless, further investigation is needed for the generalisation of the results in Greek handball.
\n<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h3>\n

It is generally recognized that psychological factors are of crucial importance in high-level competitive sports. The relation between anxiety and performance has been the subject of many thorough researches (Craft, Magyar, Becker & Feltz, 2003; Parfitt & Pates, 1999; Martens, Vealey & Burton, 1990). Cognitive anxiety is characterised by negative concerns and worries about performance, inability to concentrate, and disrupted attention (Krane, 1994). Somatic anxiety consists of an individual\u2019s perceptions, which are characterised by indications such as sweaty palms, butterflies, and shakiness (Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1990). Research has also been done on the gender differences concerning state anxiety levels. Self-confidence tends to decrease in females on the day a competitive event is to occur. Male young athletes typically display lower levels of anxiety and higher self-confidence than female athletes (Scanlan & Passer, 1979; Wark &Witting, 1979). Krane and Williams (1994) found no gender differences for cognitive anxiety. They also demonstrated that the more experienced college player would show lower levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety than the less experienced player. As far as handball is concerned, Roguli, Nazor, Srhoj and Bozin (2006) supported that it is a sport, which includes complex and accurate motor skills, and they suggested that psychological factors play an even more decisive role in a competition, differentiating between successful and less successful teams. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the levels of intensity and direction of the competitive state anxiety in junior handball players prior to a competition and to investigate any possible differences between male and female players, as well as in relation to their athletic experience.<\/p>\n

Methods<\/h3>\n

Participants<\/h4>\n

The sample of the study consisted of 115 handball players, members of eight handball teams (four male and four female), which participated in the Greek Junior Handball Championships finals held in Athens in 2008. The age of the participants was between 14 and 16 years (M. = 14.85, S.D. = 1.14). The participants voluntarily and anonymously took part in the research, with the consent of their coaches and clubs\u2019 managements, as well as with the parents\u2019 informed consent for the players younger than 14 years of age. For functional needs, 61 of the players were males and 54 females. For the needs of the research, the sample was divided according to athletic experience: (a) up to 3 years (n = 55) and (b) 4 to 6 years (n = 60).<\/p>\n

Data collection<\/h4>\n

For the data collection, the model used was the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-II (CSAI-II, Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump and Smith, 1983; Martens et al., 1990; Jones & Swain, 1992), which was modified for the Greek population by Stavrou, Zervas, Kakkos & Phychoudaki (1998). The specific instrument measures cognitive, somatic anxiety and self-confidence, as well as the direction of this state anxiety. The scale consists of 15 items (three 5-item subscales arranged on a 4-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (none) to 4 (very much) for intensity. Also, it includes a 7-point Likert-type bipolar scale ranging from \u20133 (hinders performance) to +3 (facilitates performance), which was used to evaluate intensity symptoms as either debilitative or facilitative. All players filled in the questionnaire just prior to the warm-up phase, approximately 30 minutes before the competition.<\/p>\n

Statistics<\/h4>\n

For the statistical analysis of the data, from the SPSS 11.0 statistical package, the methods used were the Factorial analysis, the Reliability analysis and the one-way ANOVA analysis, which was also used in order to determine whether any of the factors were related to gender (male-female) and athletic experience a) up to 3 years (n= 55), b) 4 to six years (n=60). The level of statistical significance was set at p< .05.<\/p>\n

Results<\/h3>\n

The factor analysis indicated three factors, which interpreted 57.19% of the total fluctuation on the intensity scale and three factors interpreting 61.87% of the direction of this intensity. The Cronbach\u2019s alpha internal cohesion indicator of the questionnaire was satisfactory. The values that came out were .79 for the cognitive anxiety, .81 for the somatic anxiety and .80 for the self-confidence. For the direction of anxiety, the values were .84, .86, and .91 correspondingly (see Table 1). The one-way ANOVA analysis showed statistically important differences concerning cognitive anxiety and self-confidence and its direction, between the male and female players (F1, 114 = 9.78; p < .01, F1, 114 = 30.28; p < .001, F1, 114 = 42.05; p < .001, F1, 114 = 37.07; p < .001). Male players presented lower scores on cognitive anxiety. They also had higher scores on self-confidence and its direction, which facilitated their performance. What is more, there were statistically important differences concerning self-confidence and its direction (F1, 114 =19.09; p<.001, F1, 114 =26.21; p<.001), between players of different years of experience. Players with four to six years of experience reported higher scores on self-confidence and its direction, which facilitated their performance (See Table 1).<\/p>\n

Table 1
\nDescriptive statistics and important differences among the factors of the questionnaire<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\n<\/th>\nHandball Players<\/th>\nAthletic Experience<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/th>\nCronbach\u2019s Alfa<\/th>\nmale<\/th>\nfemale<\/th>\nUp 3 years<\/th>\n4 to six years<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Intensity<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n<\/td>\nM. (S.D.)<\/td>\nM. (S.D.)<\/td>\nM. (S.D.)<\/td>\nM. (S.D.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cognitive<\/td>\n.79<\/td>\n2.10 (.48)**<\/td>\n2.78 (.57)<\/td>\n2.63 (.68)<\/td>\n2.19 (.55)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Somatic<\/td>\n.81<\/td>\n1.95 (.53)<\/td>\n2.05 (.74)<\/td>\n2.08 (.71)<\/td>\n1.98 (.57)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Self-confidence<\/td>\n.80<\/td>\n3.25 (.52)***<\/td>\n2.63 (.67)<\/td>\n2.69 (.65)<\/td>\n3.20 (.55)***<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Direction of intensity<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cognitive<\/td>\n.84<\/td>\n4.26 (.66)***<\/td>\n3.20 (.71)<\/td>\n3.62 (.92)<\/td>\n3.98 (.84)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Somatic<\/td>\n.86<\/td>\n4.12 (.69)<\/td>\n4.06 (.86)<\/td>\n3.98 (.85)<\/td>\n4.16 (.75)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Self-confidence<\/td>\n.91<\/td>\n5.72 (.72)***<\/td>\n4.21 (.93)<\/td>\n4.69 (.62)<\/td>\n5.78 (.57)***<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note 1: \u039c = Mean Prices, S.D. = Standard Deviations of factors in relation to the gender and athletic experience<\/em>
\nNote 2: Significant *** p < .001, ** p < .01, * p < .05.<\/em><\/p>\n

Discussion\/Conclusions<\/h3>\n

The results of the research showed that male junior handball players reported lower scores of cognitive anxiety, which was facilitative to performance. On the other hand, females displayed a higher score in cognitive anxiety, which was rather debilitative to performance. Furthermore, junior male handball players displayed higher self-confidence, with positive effects on their performance, while females stated lower self-confidence, which was neither facilitative nor debilitative to performance. In relation to years of experience, the results revealed that players with 4 to 6 years of experience showed higher self-confidence with facilitating direction, while players with less years of experience displayed lower self-confidence, with neither facilitative nor debilitative effects on their performance. These results are consistent with the findings of similar studies (Scanlan et al., 1979; Wark et al., 1979) which indicates that male athletes typically display lower levels of anxiety and higher self-confidence than female athletes. The above findings seem to support the existing theories on intensity (Mellalieu, Neil & Hanton, 2006; Parfitt & Pates, 1999; Stavrou, Psychoudaki, Zerva\u03c2, 2006; Woodman & Hardy, 2003; Wilson, & Raglin, 1997) which demonstrates that the more experienced player will show lower levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety than the less experienced player.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, the psychological preparation of junior handball players must be taken into serious consideration during the coaching procedure. Professional help and programming of the psychological preparation of the athletes and observation of their emotional condition before and during a game is necessary to reduce competitive anxiety and contribute to the high effectiveness of handball players. Nonetheless, further investigation is needed for the generalization of the results in Greek handball.<\/p>\n

References<\/h3>\n

Craft, L.L., Magyar, T.M., Becker, B.J., & Feltz, D. L. (2003). The relation between the competitive state anxiety inventory-\u0399\u0399 and sport performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology<\/em>, 25, 44-65.<\/p>\n

Jones, G., & Swain, A. (1992). Intensity and direction of competitive state anxiety and relationships with competitiveness. Perceptual and Motor Skills<\/em>, 74, 464-472.<\/p>\n

Krane, V., & Williams, J.M. (1994). Cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and confidence in track and field athletes: the impact of gender, competitive level and characteristics. International Journal of Sport Psychology<\/em>, 25, 203-217.<\/p>\n

Martens, R., Vealey, R.S. & Burton, D. (1990). Competitive anxiety in sport<\/em> (pp.117-173). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.<\/p>\n

Martens, R., Burton, D., Vealey, R. S., Bump, L. A., & Smith, D. E. (1990).<\/p>\n

Development and validation of the competitive state anxiety inventory-2 (CSAI-2). In R. Martens, R. S. Vealey, & D. Burton (Eds.), Competitive anxiety in sport<\/em> (pp. 117-173). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.<\/p>\n

Mellalieu, S.D., Neil, R., & Hanton, S. (2006). Self-confidence as a medicator of the relationship between competitive anxiety intensity and interpretation. Res Q Exercise Sport<\/em>, 77(2), 263-270.<\/p>\n

Parfitt, G., Hardy, L., & Pates, J. (1995). Somatic anxiety and physiological arousal: Their effects upon a high anaerobic, low memory demand task. International Journal of Sport Psychology<\/em>, 26, 196-213.<\/p>\n

Parfitt, G., & Pates, J. (1999). The effects of cognitive and somatic anxiety and self-confidence on components of performance during competition. Journal Sports Science<\/em>, 17(5), 351-356.<\/p>\n

Rogulj, N., Nazor M., Srhoj, V., & Bozin, D. (2006). Differences between competitively efficient and less efficient junior handball players according to their personality traits. Kinesiology Journal<\/em>, 2, 158-163.<\/p>\n

Scanlan, T.K., & Passer, M.W. (1979). Sources of competitive stress in young female athletes. Journal of Sport Psychology<\/em>, 1, 248-250.<\/p>\n

Stavrou, N.A., Psychountaki, M., Zervas, Y. (2004). Intensity and direction dimensions of competitive state anxiety: a time-to-event approach. Perceptual Motor Skills<\/em>, 98(2), 439-449.<\/p>\n

Stavrou, N.A., Zervas, Y., Kakkos & Phychoudaki, M. (1998). Intensity and direction of competitive state anxiety. Proceedings of the 2nd International \/5th Panhellenic Congress of Athletic Psychology<\/em> (pp. 139-141), Trikala.<\/p>\n

Stavrou, N.A., Psychoudaki, M., Zevra\u03c2, Y. (2006). Intensity and direction dimensions of competitive state anxiety: a time-to-event approach<\/em>. Laboratory of Motor Behavior and Sport Phycology, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Athens, 103(1), 91-98.<\/p>\n

Wark, K.A., & Witting, A.F. (1979). Sex role and sport competition anxiety. Journal of Sport Psychology<\/em>, 1, 248-250.<\/p>\n

Woodman, T., & Hardy L. (2003). The relative impact of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence upon sport performance: A meta-analysis. Journal Sports Sciences<\/em>, 21(6), 443-457.<\/p>\n

Wilson, G.S., & Raglin, J.S. (1997). Optimal and predicted anxiety in 9-12 year old track and field athletes. Scadinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports<\/em>, 2, 148-152.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Submitted by: S. Rokka, G. Mavridis, E. Bebetsos, K. Mavridis – Department of Physical Education & Sport Science – Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini<\/div>\n

Abstract<\/h3>\n

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of intensity and direction of the competitive state anxiety in junior handball players prior to a competition and to investigate any possible differences between male and female players, as well as in relation to their athletic experience. The sample of the study consisted of 115 handball players, members of eight handball teams (four male and four female), which participated in the Greek Junior Handball Championships finals held in Athens in 2008. For the data collection, the model used was the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-II (CSAI-II, Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump & Smith, 1983; Martens et al., 1990; Jones & Swain, 1992), which was modified for the Greek population by Stavrou, Zervas, Kakkos & Phychoudaki (1998). All players filled in the questionnaire 30 minutes before the competition. The results showed that male junior handball players reported lower scores of cognitive anxiety, which was facilitative to performance. On the other hand, females displayed a higher score in cognitive anxiety, which was rather debilitative to performance. Furthermore, junior male handball players displayed higher self-confidence, with positive effects on their performance, while female handball players stated lower self-confidence, which was neither facilitative nor debilitative to performance. In relation to years of experience, the results revealed that players with four to six years of experience showed higher self-confidence with facilitating direction, while players with less years of experience displayed lower self-confidence, with neither facilitative nor debilitative effects on their performance. In conclusion, the psychological preparation of junior handball players must be taken into serious consideration, during the coaching procedure. Nonetheless, further investigation is needed for the generalisation of the results in Greek handball.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[290,292,296,294],"tags":[130,127,23],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4btio-5C","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5206,"url":"https:\/\/thesportjournal.org\/article\/the-examination-of-sportsmanship-behaviors-of-beach-handball-players-in-turkey\/","url_meta":{"origin":348,"position":0},"title":"The Examination of Sportsmanship Behaviors of Beach Handball Players in Turkey","date":"August 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Authors: Ali Gurel Goksel * (1) Mugla Sitki Kocman University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Turkey. 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