European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science
ISSN: 2501 - 1235
ISSN-L: 2501 - 1235
Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu
10.5281/zenodo.51103
Volume 1│Issue 2│2016
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE
IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
Besim Halilaj
Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
Florim Gallopeni
Private Bearer of Higher Education, Qeap-Heimerer , Prishtina, Kosovo
Ilir Gllareva
Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to measure the level of anxiety and self-confidence before and
after competitions in artistic gymnastics. The participant was 46 gymnasts aged 15 to 27,
14 female and 32 male. Results indicate no differences in average comparing the
analysis of the level of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence, between
the first measure realized 30 minutes before the competition and second measure,
realized when the gymnasts were fully relaxed. For the realization of the study was
used formal questionnaires to collect needed data through the questionnaire (CSAI-2R;
Cox et al., 2003) and other general data which was considered important for research. In
order to analyze results was used concluding analyzes which show significant
differences between males and females on the self-confidence, where males
demonstrate a higher level of confidence while females have demonstrated a lower
level of self-confidence. While, as regards somatic and cognitive anxiety there were no
significant statistic differences found in relation to gender. Based on the regressive
analyze it appears that predicting factor in the case of somatic anxiety is cognitive
anxiety. The intensity of cognitive anxiety causes somatic anxiety with the value
=
.632, p=.000. Anxiety and self-confidence appear to be very important factors in
achieving the top results, as they also have an impact on each other and also express
their impact depending on specifics and peculiarities of gymnasts.
Keywords: artistic gymnastics, competition, cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, selfconfidence
Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved
Published by European Open Access Research Association ©2015.
39
Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
Introduction
Gymnastics as an discipline from the sports perspective, is always seen with a special
significance for the positive impact it has on the human personality (Pavlovic, et al.,
1988), as Barnier (1950), said about sports gymnastics: "sports gymnastics is appropriate for
people who are disciplined, those who are courageous, determined, fantasize easily, and those
who desires excellent training. Usually, these people are stable. Good gymnasts are often found
in a profession in which the care and punctuality are required. However, this sport is not desired
by people who are not disciplined, slow, elderly, scared, and concerned, as well as those who have
little practical intelligence .
Gymnasts, in general, are characterized by high physical and psychological
ability, in realizing tough elements of gymnastics, and they are very god at the
execution of those elements (Gymnastics Zone, 2011). Science finally has some facts to
prove what we have all known for gymnastics, gymnastics is one of the most difficult
sport on the planet for women (and men), both mentally and physically. From this, it
becomes clear that gymnastics activities are not easy at all, both from the physical and
psychological aspects. This fact made many authors to study psychological aspects
before and after the competition, in the gymnastics sport and other sports in which the
application of sport`s psychology is expressed. According to Wang, Hsu, & Huang
(2013) in cases when gymnasts have the same level of preparation and are on the same
level with the technical work performance, the winner is determined by psychological
factors.
From all psychological factors, thought to influence sports performance, anxiety
is often considered the most important one (John S. Raglin, Yuri L. Hanin, 1999). In
generally, the emphasis should be made at the cognitive and somatic anxiety. Anxiety is
a psychological factor which often is linked with high level of worries (Hanton, Thomas
and Maynard 2004; Martinent and Ferrar 2007), injuries are considered very important
and connected with anxiety in gymnastics sport (Waples, 2005; Cheung and Lo 1996;
Cartoni, Minganti, and Zelli, 2005 (Pero, Minganti, Pesce, Capranica, & Piacentini,
2013). Anxiety within limits is useful, motivating and it helps in achieving top results,
as far as anxiety does not exceed the level of normal anxiety. According to Marten`s
multidimensional theory, Vealey & Burton, (1990) the anxiety is manifested as cognitive
and somatic anxiety (Espejel, Walle, Rodriguez, Villanueva, & Gurrola, 2013). There are
two types of anxiety which particular characteristics: cognitive anxiety which includes
thoughts, beliefs, their interpretation, (worries, neurosis) etc., and somatic anxiety or
expression of anxiety through physical symptoms and it affects: cardiovascular system
(tachycardia, hypertension, etc.), respiratory system (need for air, feeling that the
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
breath-taking is going to stop), skin changes (red signs in the skin, change of body
temperature etc.), musculature (trembling, muscular tensions etc.), gastrointestinal
system (diarrhea, stomach aches etc.), and other symptoms, such as headaches, sleeping
troubles etc.).
Authors Hardy and Crace (1989) dealt with "Anxiety" which is very usual among
the gymnasts and has been researched and studied properly how to deal with it. The
first recommendation for the trainers was that they should not neglect and
underestimate the importance of anxiety among the athletes. Imagine when you are just
one night ahead of beginning competition and you begin to worry and feel concerned
about your performance and results which you are going to achieve, worries that will
increase without finding a particular reason and this starts with uncomfortable or
negative feelings. The body begins to impact and therefore the following changes are
realized: muscular tensions, uncomfortability, frequent urination and the mouth gets
dry. All these symptoms make us understand we are out of control. Thoughts are
focused towards us, thus, the negative thoughts dominate and directly impact in
defeating of ourselves. The majority has the mixture of reactions during the period
before the competitions, but it is extremely important the impact of the entire situation
in the results depends on very much from the individual, his confrontation with the
anxiety, importance of the competition and level of self-confidence.
Self-confidence in sport is related to the ability of someone to think that he is
going to win the competition and that he can be successful in sports competitions (Ray,
2015). Maybe, we found a very concrete answer in the literature if we ask a question:
why I feel worried, why my hands are sweating and getting cold, why I feel anxiety?
The study was concentrated on the research of pre and post competition anxiety
and self-confidence in Kosovo gymnasts. The study of such a nature has been
conducted by authors (Hall, Kerr, & Matthews, 1998), they researched the anxiety
before and after the sports competition. Hierarchical analyze of regression that above all
the perfection was consistent and of particular importance about the cognitive anxiety.
The ability for consistent perception was a predictor of confidence; also, the level of
tasks or exercises was an important factor for the cognitive anxiety. Findings of Smith's
(1996) helped and suggest that the situation of anxiety is impacted by multidimensional
factors and not only by individual differences. Also, similar research has been
conducted by authors Espejel, Walle, Rodríguez, Villanueva, & Gurrola (2013), the
anxiety before the competitions and self-confidence of Pan American gymnasts, they
researched the intensity and direction of indicators of anxiety before the competitions
(cognitive and somatic). Also, they researched the issue of self-confidence of gymnasts
who took part in Pan American competitions in 2011. In this study, which included 60
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
gymnasts male and female, results show that cognitive intensity and anxiety showed a
positive correlation with somatic anxiety, the self-confidence showed a negative
correlation with the intensity of cognitive anxiety, and also, it has foreseen it. Among
the female was reported a higher level of somatic anxiety than male. Thus, it was
reached a conclusion that confidence lowers perception about anxiety, (Lois, & Arce,
2007; Cox, Martens, & Rusell, 2003).
Wang, Hsu, & Huang, (2013) researched anxiety before the competitions with the
sportsmen and when the anxiety was a peculiarity of a person, then it has influenced
and had a positive liaison with somatic and cognitive anxiety and negative link-up with
the self-confidence. Also in this study, the link-up was positive between the somatic
and cognitive anxiety and negative with the self-confidence.
According to social cognitive theory Bandura, (1996) and the model of results
expectations, the anxiety and development of performance by Krane, Williams, and
Fetlz (1992), this study has conducted further researches regarding a relation between
the anxiety, result expectations and athletes’ performance “lexander & Krane,
.
Data from earlier researches during the measurement of anxiety suggest that
children and teenagers, just the same as adults, are able to differ cognitive and somatic
anxiety (Muris, Merckelbach, Meesters and van den Brand, 2012; Reynolds &Richmond
1985; Turner & Barrett, 2003; White & Farrel, 2001 Grossbard, Smith, Smoll, &
Cumming, 2009).
Methods & Materials
The samples included in the research was 46 respondents, 32 male, and 14 female,
collected through a convenience samples in the national artistic gymnastics competition
in Kosovo. The age of participants in the study was from 15 to 27 years, with the
average age M=18.8 and SD=2.9. Participants in the research were from several clubs of
Kosovo cities, who are also participants in the national competitions organized by
Kosovo Gymnastic Federation.
In order to measure the emotional intensity and emotional reactions of gymnasts
before and after a competition, a questionnaire is used (CSAI-2R; Cox et al., 2003). The
questionnaire contains 27 items, which are distributed in three scales to measure the
level of somatic anxiety with the internal consistence,
=.83, and self-confidence =.
=.
, cognitive anxiety with
. The given answers are ranked according to Likert scale
estimating from 1 to 4.Administration of questionnaires including data collection
procedures, are dedicated to special rules due to research specifics, because the idea of
research was to measure the level of anxiety and self-confidence before and after a
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
competition. First at all participants of the research were informed with the aim of
research. Thus, the participants completed the questionnaires twice. The completion of
the questionnaire in the first time was realized 30 minutes before the competition and
second time of administration of questionnaires was during the time when participants
of the research did not have psychological burdens when they were relaxed. Also, the
participants in the research were informed about the duration of administration
questionnaire where the time to administer a questionnaire was 15 minutes. Based on
the results of fundamental parameters, the following parameters appeared: arithmetic
average (M), standard deviation (DS), while in order to see changes between male and
female has been applied t-test. Also, analyses of correlation to see the interaction and
regressive analyses have been applied to found predictive factors of anxiety or selfconfidence. Symbols: (F) Female, (M) Male, (1) first measuring, (2) second measuring.
Results
Results will present the main findings of the study by using the adequate concluding
analyses to give an answer to the research questions, and to give an explanation to the
aim of the research. The internal consistence of the questionnaire in all three scales of
questionnaires was at the accepted level to trust the sustainability of measures. The
consistence values, in order to be trustworthy, must be
≥ .
Table 1: Alfa`s coefficients for CSAI-2, for the first and second measure
Scales of CSAI-2
Alfa (N=46)
Cognitive Anxiety-1
.83
Somatic Anxiety-1
.87
Self-confidence-1
.82
Cognitive Anxiety-2
.86
Somatic Anxiety-2
.81
Self-confidence-2
.62
The result presented in the Table 1 show that the internal consistence of the
questionnaire is very high and it makes understand that the items within the certain
grades have sustainability and they measure what they designed for.
Table 2, Analyses of comparing the average values after two measuring of the
same (Paired sample t-test):
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
Scales of CSAI
M
SD
t-test
sig.
Cognitive anxiety 1
16.5
5.0
-1.82
p=.076
Cognitive anxiety 2
18.0
5.51
Somatic anxiety 1
17.1
5.8
.252
p=.802
Somatic anxiety 2
16.9
4.9
Self-confidence 1
27.3
5.2
-1.28
p=.208
Self-confidence 2
28.5
3.6
In the Table 2, by observing the differences in average values through comparative
analyses, the first measure realized 30 minutes before the competition shows the level of
cognitive anxiety, level of somatic anxiety and self-confidence in a calm psychological
state when gymnasts were relaxed, the results show that there is no significant
statistical differences between the first and second measuring.
Table 3: Gender differences in cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence
obtained from the measuring 30 minutes before the competition
Scales of CSAI-2
Gender
M
SD
t-test
sig.
Cognitive anxiety
M
15.6
3.98
-1.147
p=.257
F
17.5
6.88
M
16.2
4.02
-1.160
p=.252
F
18.3
8.37
M
28.3
4.50
2.062
p=.045*
F
24.8
6.52
Somatic anxiety
Self-confidence
Based on the results found through the t-test analyses in the table 3, significant
differences are noticeable between the male and female as regards the level of selfconfidence, where male express highest level of self-confidence with M=28.3 and
DS=4.5, while female have expressed the lowest level of self-confidence with M=24.8
and DS=6.52 where the level of significance is p=.045*. While, for the cognitive and
somatic anxiety there no significant differences found in relation to gender.
European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
Table 4: Correlation between the first and second measuring
of the cognitive and somatic anxiety and self-confidence
1
2
3
4
5
1. Cognitive anxiety 1
2. Somatic anxiety 1
.799**
3. Self-confidence 1
-.417**
-.396**
4. Cognitive anxiety 2
.463**
.454**
-.187
5. Somatic anxiety 2
.352*
.468**
-.160
.440**
6. Self-confidence 2
-.313*
-.383*
.236
-.362*
-.466**
r = Pearson correlation. *p < 0.05. **p < 0.01
Table 4 presents correlations between the first and second measuring of cognitive and
somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. It also shows that there is positive link-up between
the cognitive and somatic anxiety, and negative link-up of self-confidence, with somatic
and cognitive anxiety. Through the analyses of linear regression we have incorporated
in the model several variables which were believed to have impact on the appearance of
somatic anxiety before the competition, so we have incorporated into the model the
variable of somatic anxiety as a criterion, while as a determining factor are included
cognitive anxiety before the competition, self-confidence before the competition, age, as
well as the result achieved in the competition. These variables explain the somatic
anxiety at the level 70% of the variance. As a predicted factor for somatic anxiety is the
cognitive anxiety, the intensity of cognitive anxiety causes somatic anxiety of the value
=.
, p=.
, while the self-confidence before the competition, age and achieved
results in the competition appeared to factors which impact the level of significance in
the appearing of somatic anxiety.
Discussion
The study was designed to measure and compare the level of cognitive anxiety, somatic
anxiety, and self-confidence in a sample of 46 respondents, participants from several
clubs of Kosovo Gymnastic Federation. According to the study results, was confirmed
the interaction between psychological factors pre and post competitions, specifically
anxiety and self-confidence. Results showed that were no significant differences
between anxiety and self-confidence pre and post competition, but it was strong
interaction and correlation between anxiety pre and post competition. Correlation
between first and second measuring of cognitive and somatic anxiety and selfEuropean Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 1 │ Issue 2 │ 2016
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Besim Halilaj, Florim Gallopeni, Ilir Gllareva –
PRE AND POST COMPETITION ANXIETY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IN KOSOVO GYMNASTS
confidence shows a positive correlation between first and second measurement, same as
research conducted with pan-American gymnasts, which concluded that intensity of
anxiety in relax time, drive and is an indicator of anxiety pre-competitions (Espejel., et
al, 2013). Through the analyses of linear regression was incorporated into the model the
dependent variable of somatic anxiety as a criterion, while as a determining factor are
included cognitive anxiety before the competition, self-confidence before the
competition, age, as well as the result achieved in the competition. As a predicted factor
for somatic anxiety is the cognitive anxiety, the intensity of cognitive anxiety causes
somatic anxiety, while the self-confidence before the competition, age and achieved
results in the competition appeared to factors which impact the level of significance in
the appearing of somatic anxiety. Significant differences are noticed between the male
and female as regards the level of self-confidence where male express a higher level of
self-confidence with M=28.3 and DS=4.5, while female have shown lower level of selfconfidence with M=24.8 and DS=6.52 where the level of significance is p=.045*.
Research implication are, coaches who work with gymnasts in Kosovo and not
only, should take in consideration the role and importance of working on psychological
factors with the aim of achieving better results in the competition and make feel better,
all this should reflect to reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence.
As a conclusion of the study are anxiety is higher in the female gymnasts, and
self-confidence is higher to male gymnasts, and cognitive anxiety is a predictor of
somatic anxiety.
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