IJFANS International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences

ISSN PRINT 2319 1775 Online 2320-7876

EXAMINING SPORTS ANXIETY ACROSS GENDER: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BADMINTON AND TENNIS PLAYERS

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Lakhan Kushwaha, Dr. Sarita Tyagi

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate sports-related anxiety among athletes, considering gender variations and the specific sports they engage in. The study involved 100 participants chosen based on their representation at the national level in either tennis or badminton. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) questionnaire. Independent t-tests were utilized to compare anxiety levels between male and female athletes in their respective sports, with a significance threshold set at 0.05. The analysis revealed that females demonstrated higher anxiety levels compared to males. These results affirm the tendency for women to experience more anxiety than men. The study also noted that girls' utilization of thought control strategies and metacognitive beliefs contributes to their susceptibility to emotional and neurotic issues. Thus, it is imperative for girls to adopt alternative coping mechanisms for dealing with challenging circumstances. The research suggests that females could benefit from learning techniques to manage metacognitive concerns. Additionally, adjusting negative and positive metacognitive beliefs about worry could enhance mental well-being. In summary, this study provides evidence supporting the notion that female athletes encounter elevated levels of anxiety compared to their male counterparts. It underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues among female athletes and underscores the necessity of teaching them effective anxiety management strategies. By fostering the development of adaptive metacognitive skills and altering their beliefs about worry, girls can bolster their psychological resilience and overall mental well-being.

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