EFFECT OF YOGA INTERVENTION ON COMPETITIVE ANXIETY AMONG COLLEGIATE TENNIS PLAYERS

Objective: Competitive anxiety is a psychological factor that negatively impacts sports performance and self-confidence among athletes. This study investigates the impact of an 8-week yoga-based intervention on competitive anxiety and self-confidence among collegiate tennis players. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest research design was adopted, with 47 tennis players (27 males, 20 females) aged 17 to 22 years participating. Participants were assessed for cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) before and after the intervention. The yoga module, comprising breathing exercises (prāṇāyāma), mindfulness-based postures (āsanas), and sound-based relaxation (nāda yoga), was implemented thrice weekly for 45 minutes over eight weeks. Data were analyzed for pre-post changes in anxiety and self-confidence levels. Results: Significant reductions were observed in cognitive anxiety (males: t = 3.197, p < 0.001; females: t = 2.443, p < 0.05) and somatic anxiety (males: t = 3.620, p < 0.001; females: t = 4.947, p < 0.001). Self-confidence levels significantly improved among both males (t = 2.929, p < 0.001) and females (t = 3.622, p < 0.001). Gender differences in baseline anxiety levels were evident, with females reporting higher cognitive and somatic anxiety than males. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that yoga significantly reduces competitive anxiety and enhances self-confidence among young tennis players, underscoring its effectiveness as a psychological tool for athletes. This study highlights the potential of yoga-based interventions to address the psychological demands of competitive sports, particularly for tennis players, and calls for further exploration of gender-specific impacts.