Cognitive-Behavioral Strategies and Precompetitive Anxiety Among Recreational Athletes

Abstract

Although cognitive-behavioral strateg ies have been demonstrated relatively effective in improving sport performance and regulating various affective states among highly skilled athletes, the strategy-anxiety relationship has been left largely untested within the realm of recreational sport. The present study utilized self-report data from 186 recreational league tennis players in order to describe the prevalence, types, sources, and perceived effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral strategy use among a sub-elite sample as well as to determine the extent to which each strategy contributed to changes in cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence prior to official competition. Nearly 30% of the sample reported using strategies in training and competition , comprised by relaxation, mental imagery, attention control , positive self-talk, and goal-setting . Stepwise regression analyses controlling for player characteristics revealed that attentional control and goal-setting strategies contributed to lower cognitive state anxiety, attention control and imagery/ relaxation strategies resulted in lower somatic state anxiety, and attention control and positive self-talk contributed to increased state self-confidence. The role of specific cognitive-behavioral techniques in facilitating adaptability to competitive stress among recreational athletes is discussed.

Fear of failure and anxiety in sport

“…Although it has been established that trait anxiety and experience are predictors of state cognitive anxiety (Cooley, 1987;Donzeli & Dugoni, 1990;Gill & Martens, 1977;Gould, Horn, & Spreeman, 1984;Hanton, Mellalieu, & Hall, 2001;Krane & Williams, 1987;McGregor & Abrahamson, 2000;Ryska, 1998;Scanlan & Passer, 1979), fear of failure has not been reconnoitred empirically as a possible predictor. Accordingly, with the results of this research it is possible to recognise that fear of failure may undoubtedly trigger sport anxiety levels.…”

Implementation Intentions and Shielding Goal Striving From Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings

“…We wondered whether specifying these negative inner states as critical cues in the if-component of implementation intentions and a goal-shielding response in the then-component supports staying on track under such adverse inner states. The specified goal-shielding responses were taken from research that analyzed strategies of improving one's performance during a tennis match (e.g., ignoring the noise made by the audience, focusing one's attention on the ball, engaging in relaxation behavior; see Anshel & Anderson, 2002;Mamassis & Dogamis, 2004;Ryska, 1998).…”

“…then I will calm myself and tell myself 'I will win! '"; e.g., Anshel & Anderson, 2002;Mamassis & Dogamis, 2004;Ryska, 1998). By selecting negative inner states and coping behaviors on their own, participants could compose their if-then plans in an individualized manner, thereby specifying their most personally relevant negative inner states (in the if-component of their plans) and linking them to the most appropriate goal-directed responses (in the thencomponent of their plans).…”

Procrastination is Detrimental to Undergraduate Students’ Self-Rated Creativity: The Mediating Role of State Anxiety

“…Compared to avoidant procrastinators, procrastinators who mentally engage themselves in tasks would be expected to be more mentally well-prepared. Moreover, it has been documented that mental preparation can reduce the level of anxiety in different fields, such as sport (e.g., Ryska, 1998), operations (e.g., Protogerou et al, 2015), and psychotherapy (Deane, Spicer, & Leathem, 1992). This might also be true in the context of procrastination.…”