PRANAYAMA AND ITS ROLE IN MANAGING COMPETITIVE ANXIETY: A STUDY ON FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

This study explores the impact of pranayama, a yogic breathing practice, on reducing state anxiety in collegiate female basketball players facing competitive pressures. Anxiety is a key psychological factor that can hinder athletic performance, and effective strategies to manage it are critical. The study involved nine female athletes (19.11 ± 0.93) competing at collegiate and district levels, who participated in a single-group, pre-post intervention design. Using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) to measure anxiety levels, assessments were conducted before and after an eight-week yoga-based intervention. The results revealed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in both somatic and cognitive components of state anxiety, alongside a notable improvement in self-confidence (p<0.05). These findings suggest that integrating pranayama into athletes’ training regimens can effectively alleviate pre-competitive anxiety, bolster psychological resilience, and enhance overall readiness for competition. The study emphasises the potential of pranayama as a practical and beneficial tool in sports psychology and athlete development programs.