Comparison of state anxiety levels among ages, genders and skill levels at practice and pre-competition in age-group swimmers

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: Anxiety and the relationship to athletic performance has been a topic of considerable interest to coaches and athletes in many sports. With a large number of American youth involved in competitive sports programs, it is important for researchers to study anxiety and the age group athlete. The purpose of this study was to compare the state anxiety levels among ages, genders and skill levels at practice and pre-competition. The study included 137 athletes. Each subject completed the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory A-State twice; once just prior to a practice session and again just prior to the State Age Group Swimming Championships.

Findings and Conclusions: The statistical procedure used was a 3 x 2 x 2 Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance. Mean comparisons were made using the Newman Keuls Multiple Range Test which indicated that the 15-18 age group had significantly higher state anxiety than the 9-11 and 12-14 age groups. Females had significantly higher state anxiety than males and significantly higher state anxiety was found at the pre-competition situation than at the practice situation.