Trait anxiety and mood state responses to overtraining in men and women college swimmers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of trait anxiety and gender on mood state responses of college swimmers during overtraining and taper. College swimmers completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at the beginning of the competitive season (baseline) and were categorized as low trait anxious (35 men; 23 women) and high trait anxious (35 men; 23 women). Each swimmer completed the Profile of Mood States at baseline, peak training, and after tapering near the end of the competitive season. Overtraining was associated with mood disturbance, and the taper was associated with improved mood in low and high trait anxious swimmers. However, low trait anxious swimmers reported greater increased mood disturbance during overtraining. Women reported higher trait anxiety than men, but men and women typically responded to overtraining and the taper in a similar manner. Contrary to expectations, low trait anxious swimmers experienced larger changes in mood states during overtraining.

Keywords:

• personality
• training
• well-being
• mental health
• athletes

Notes