Effects of supplement L-theanine on cognitive anxiety, salivary alpha-amylase, and cortisol in archery competition.

Abstract

Purpose: Archery is a representative sport requiring high levels of concentration. Accordingly, assessing participants' physiological and psychological factors related to tension, anxiety, and stress represents a valuable resource for enhancing performance. This study examines the impact of L-theanine administration on archers' cognitive anxiety levels, salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and salivary cortisol (sC) in archery competition.

Methods: The study included 18 athletes from women's colleges who participated in the 50-meter individual competition at the 40th president's cup national archery competition in June 2023. Athletes' anxiety levels were assessed on a Likert scale, ranging from 1 "not at all" to 10 "extremely anxious." Saliva samples were collected 30, 20, and 10 minutes before and 20 minutes after the game. Repeated measures of the general linear model ANOVA were performed to compare the mean values of sAA and anxiety level.

Results: Cognitive anxiety levels were significantly reduced in the treatment compared to the placebo group at 10 minutes before the game (p<.05); sAA levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to the placebo group at 20 and 10 minutes before the game (pre-20 and pre-10, respectively); and sC levels were significantly reduced in the treatment compared to the placebo group at 10 minutes before the game (p<.05).

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that L-theanine treatment is an efficacious intervention for reducing cognitive anxiety, sAA, and sC levels in sports. Therefore, it is recommended to alleviate competitive anxiety in sports requiring high concentration levels such as archery.