Assessment and treatment of competition anxiety in athletes: A comparative analysis between the two genders.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was the assessment and treatment of competition anxiety among sportsmen and women. Furthermore we attempted to assess gender differences in competition anxiety as well. In addition the study evaluated the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation technique to counter high competition anxiety. The sample consisted of two hundred subjects. Sports Competition Anxiety Test was used to assess the pre competition anxiety levels. A post test was conducted after eight weeks in order to assess the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation in lowering high competition anxiety. Statistical analysis showed that Competition Anxiety was significantly higher in sportsmen as compared to sports women. Progressive muscle relaxation technique proved to be effective in reducing competition anxiety since competition anxiety dropped by an average of 7.46 points in the intervention group. This reduction in competition anxiety was statistically significant.