Physiological, perceptual and performance responses to competitive stress in individual and team sports among youth sport participants

Abstract

Due to limited research in the field testing of youth sport, specifically with regard to females, this project was delimited to the examination of the responses of youth participants in relation to the nature of the sport, when participating under conditions of competitive stress. It further attempted to elucidate gender related differences within these responses. Forty four male and female subjects aged 15 - 19 years volunteered to participate in this study; all pupils were First team members who competed in a variety of team and individual sports. Subjects participated in a battery of psychological, physiological and performance tests before and after competing in a practice session and during competitive league matches. The data were statistically analyzed for the various parameters under investigation. The results of the Sport Competition Anxiety Test indicated that the females, and the male team players had the highest competitive anxiety traits (CTA). The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire scores showed that most subjects have a general dominance of task orientation to sport. The results of the Physical Self-Perception Profile revealed that the females' poorer perception of their physical was not as substantial as their difference in CTA compared to males. Team participants, particularly the males, had a poorer self-image than individual sport counterparts. Elevated heart rate responses were observed prior to performing in a competitive ambience, with significant increases in team, rather than individual, players. The Evaluation of Task Demands revealed that team players, especially the females, perceived the match demands as significantly higher than the individual athletes. No significant differences were observed in the players' Evaluation of Perceived Strain. Neither were any significant differences observed in the players' ratings of their performance. In conclusion, although differences appear to exist between male and female responses within a competitive ambience, the magnitude of difference was far more notable between team and individual responses to competitive stress, particularly for competitive matches as opposed to practice sessions.