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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
08:17
Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
Published on: July 19, 2017
Basic psychological skills usage and competitive anxiety responses: perceived underlying mechanisms
1Cardiff School of Sport, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK. rwadey@uwic.ac.uk
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
|September 27, 2008
Summary
Elite athletes use psychological skills like goal-setting and imagery to manage competitive anxiety. These techniques help interpret anxiety as beneficial for performance, boosting confidence and focus.
Area of Science:
- Sport Psychology
- Performance Psychology
Background:
- Competitive anxiety is a common experience for athletes.
- Understanding psychological skills' role in managing anxiety is crucial for performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between basic psychological skills and competitive anxiety.
- To explore how elite athletes interpret and manage anxiety symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.
- Sample of 15 elite athletes from diverse sports.
Main Results:
- Athletes utilized goal-setting, imagery, and self-talk to interpret anxiety positively.
- Psychological skills helped maintain anxiety intensity while facilitating performance.
- Increased self-confidence and optimism were reported.
Conclusions:
- Basic psychological skills are effective tools for managing competitive anxiety in elite athletes.
- Facilitative interpretation of anxiety symptoms is key to performance enhancement.
- Effort, motivation, attentional focus, and perceived control mediate these effects.
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