Sport psychology

Background. The concept of mental workload (MW) is a conceptual framework for evaluating the balance between the cognitive resources allocated to a task and those available to an individual. MWis influenced by the effort expended, the complexity of the task, and the individuals total processing capacity and resources.

Objective. This paper aims to explore MW in the field of sport and its relationship with other psychological variables, such as anxiety and burnout. This approach is not widely used in this context so this analysis is considered novel and unique.

Design. This paper is a cross-sectional study, with a sample selected by convenience sampling, consisting of Bulgarian athletes divided into three qualification categories: athletes competing at international competitions, athletes participating in national-level competitions, and non-professional athletes. The sample consisted of 107 athletes from various sports, with 62% male and 38% female participants.

The instruments used to assess the different psychological variables included the NASA-TLX for MW and an abbreviated questionnaire derived from the SAS-2 for Anxiety and Burnout based on ABQ. 

Results. Athletes' mental workload is multifaceted, influenced by physical and psychological factors, which may also act as a protective factor against anxiety. Team sports show higher levels of mental workload due to contextual uncertainty (entropy), which could reduce performance anxiety. Two athlete profiles emerged: a bright side (high effort, low anxiety) and a dark side (low effort, high anxiety).

Conclusion. These findings contribute to existing knowledge in sports psychology, providing deeper insights into the role of mental workload in athletic preparation and its potential function as a protective factor against anxiety.

Background. In the competitive world of emerging athletes, performance is crucial; in sports, it is essential. However, under the spotlight of competition, performance anxiety lurks as the unseen rival every athlete must conquer. Two important factors are fundamental to this dynamic—athletic identity and perceived coaching styles. Athletic identity becomes an athlete’s armor, while the coaching styles catalyze transformation. Their alliance can either elevate performance or diminish it.

Objective. To investigate the relationship between athletic identity, perceived coaching styles, and performance anxiety among university athletes.

Design. Using a correlational research design, 353 university athletes (191 men, 162 women, aged 18-25, M= 20.8, SD= 1.78) were recruited through non-probability purposive sampling from various universities. The athletic identity measurement scale (AIMS), leadership scale for sports (LSS), and sport anxiety scale-2 (SAS-2) were used to measure the constructs; the athletes also completed a demographic information sheet and provided informed consent.

Results. The Pearson product moment correlation results indicated a significant negative correlation between athletic identity and performance anxiety, while perceived coaching styles were significantly positively correlated with performance anxiety. The moderation analyses revealed that training and instruction, social support, democratic behavior, and positive feedback significantly moderated the relationship between self-identity and performance anxiety. Additionally, training and instruction and autocratic behavior significantly moderated the relationship between negative affectivity and performance anxiety.

Conclusion. This study underscores the importance of understanding the dynamics between athletic identity, perceived coaching styles, and performance anxiety to optimize athletic performance and reduce performance anxiety among university athletes.