Analysis of relationships between emotional components and athletic performance

BACKGROUND: Anxiety trait in sport field is wildly studied in sport psychology researches. However, pre-competitive emotions and anxiety traits are main factors that may influence the sportive outcomes. This study aimed to examine the correlation between anxiety and pre-competitive emotions and physical performance among Tunisian students in final practical exam.METHODS: Fifty Tunisian students participated in this study (21 males; 29 females; age 18.34±0.77 years) they were subjected to two questionnaires, the CSTAI-2r and the PANAS-D to assess anxiety traits and precompetitive emotions. The physical performance was obtained from the evaluation of their last practical exam (national exam).RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between anxiety traits and performance (r=-0.817; P=0.000) and a strongly positive correlation between cognitive and somatic anxiety (r=1.00; P=0.000) However, our results suggest that both of gender and experience level have a significative effects on anxiety and pre-competitive emotions and performance.CONCLUSIONS: The highest performing boys are the oldest and least anxious than the others and who maintain a more positive emotional state before competition than the girls do.