Stress, angst og selvtillit hos topphåndballspillere i kampsituasjon : En kartlegging av før-konkurranseangst sammenlignet med spillernes mentale tøffhet og selvtillit i forbindelse med kamper gjennom sesongen

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish pre-competition anxiety, self-confidence and mental toughness among high level handball players before matches during the handball season. The development of pre-competition anxiety and self-confidence before the matches was compared between two different teams and compared between players scoring high and low on mental toughness. Pre-competition anxiety and self-confidence was measured using the questionnaire CSAI-2 and mental toughness was measured using the questionnaire SMTQ. The participants was 34 female handball-players, recruited from two teams playing in the Norwegian national series. 16 Elite players from Vipers and 18 recruits from Våg. Four measurements were made on predetermined test-matches (T1-T4) using CSAI-2; which was answered 48, 24, 2 and 1 hour prior to start of each match. Chronbach's alpha values for CSAI-2 show; cognitive anxiety=0.92, somatic anxiety=0.91 and self-confidence=0.97. The inner consistency for SMTQ showed an -value of 0.65. Paired Samples t-Test was used to check differences between recordings at different times for somatic- and cognitive anxiety and self-confidence. Independent Samples t-Test was used to check differences between groups. The participants have moderate somatic- and cognitive anxiety levels. Elite players have higher self-confidence than recruit players. The somatic anxiety level has a significant increase from 48 hours to 2 hours and 1 hour prior to the start of the match. For elite players, the cognitive anxiety level decreases significantly from 2 hours to 1 hour prior to start of match. For recruit players the self-confidence significantly decrease from 48 hours to 24 hours and 2 hours prior to start of match. Players with low mental toughness have lower self-confidence and higher somatic- and cognitive anxiety levels compared to players with high mental toughness. Key Words: Pre-competition anxiety, self-confidence, mental toughness, competition situation, handball