Effects of Impulsivity on Competitive Anxiety in Female Athletes: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness Trait

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that athletes in competitive sports suffer from high levels of competitive anxiety, especially in the case of females. In this sense, it is necessary to identify possible risk and protective factors of those athletes in this collective who suffer from this type of anxiety. However, few studies analyze the relationship between Physical Activity (PA) and anxiety, identifying the possible mediation effect of trait variables such as impulsivity and mindfulness in female athletes. Hence, the aims of this study were: to determine differences between PA levels with anxiety, mindfulness, and impulsiveness; to identify the predictive value of sociodemographic factors and physical activity, impulsivity, and mindfulness on anxiety factors; and to analyze the possible mediating effects of mindfulness on the relationship between impulsivity and anxiety. A total of 242 female athletes underwent an assessment of physical activity, anxiety, mindfulness traits, and impulsivity using validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed according to (1) individual or collective sport, and (2) PA levels according to energy expended (METs min/day). Participants were grouped by light, moderate, and vigorous PA levels. There were 30.5% elite athletes and 73.2% collective sports athletes. Mean age was 22.1 years and mean light, moderate, and vigorous PA were 86.1 ± 136.2, 114.4 ± 159.8, and 370.1 ± 336.3 METs min/day, respectively. Those athletes performing vigorous PA exhibited lower levels of impulsiveness and higher mindfulness traits. As expected, the mindfulness trait was a mediating factor in the relationship between impulsiveness and each factor of competitive anxiety (cognitive, somatic, and self-efficacy). Female athletes could suffer competitive anxiety, especially those who present higher levels of impulsivity. However, higher levels of mindfulness traits seem to be a protective factor in the effects of impulsivity on anxiety in this population and have demonstrated to be significant mediators in this association. Further studies are needed with other female athletes to replicate these results and to determine the specific protective mechanisms of mindfulness traits in preventing competitive anxiety.

The Impact of Authoritarian Coaching Styles on Athletes’ Anxious States

“…The NCAA found that approximately 85% of certified athletic trainers believe anxiety is a current issue among college student athletes (Goldman, 2022;Moore & Gummelt, 2019). Results of studies showed that female and younger athletes are at a greater risk of anxiety (Terres-Barcala et al, 2022), and higher levels of somatic anxiety are experienced by females and cognitive anxiety in males (Hernandez et al, 2020). Anxiety can negatively impact athlete's self-confidence, performance abilities, lead to burnout (Peterson, 2019;Terres-Barcala et al, 2022), increased risk of sport injury (Ford et al, 2017), and negative self-conscious and distraction from the present moment (Lyon & Plisco, 2020).…”

“…Results of studies showed that female and younger athletes are at a greater risk of anxiety (Terres-Barcala et al, 2022), and higher levels of somatic anxiety are experienced by females and cognitive anxiety in males (Hernandez et al, 2020). Anxiety can negatively impact athlete's self-confidence, performance abilities, lead to burnout (Peterson, 2019;Terres-Barcala et al, 2022), increased risk of sport injury (Ford et al, 2017), and negative self-conscious and distraction from the present moment (Lyon & Plisco, 2020). Anxiety can be detrimental to adolescents' overall wellbeing (biological, psychological, and sociological) and the high amount of pressure in athletic competitions can exacerbate anxiety symptoms.…”

“…Numerous athletes experience anxiety in response to being evaluated by their athletic ability, fear of failure (central threat), fear of social consequences, and worry that they will not live up to adults' (coaches/parents) expectations (Correia & Rosado, 2018). Additionally, athletes can experience sport-anxiety due to having an unhealthy athletic identity (Moore & Gummelt, 2019), an expectation of mental toughness that leads to suppressed emotions, resistance to seeking help and support (Lyons & Plisco, 2020), impulsiveness, and inadequate recovery from practice (overtraining) (Terres-Barcala et al, 2022). Most athletes, especially adolescents, who experience symptoms of mental illness, are often not encouraged to seek treatment, do not receive appropriate evaluation or treatment due to stigma, and find that there is a lack of mental health services.…”

Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports

“…A growing number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of psychological interventions, including mindfulness, on emotional and behavioural regulation in sports [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], hence the relevance of teaching regulatory skills, especially to young athletes participating in competitions [ 11 , 32 , 33 ], as they are subjected to greater sporting pressures (e.g., the obligation to win or to prove themselves to be the best).…”