Competitive anxiety and stress: A study of combative and non-combative sports

This present study compares the competitive anxiety and stress levels between combative and non-combative sports athletes of Himachal Pradesh University. 60 athletes out of which 30 were selected from combative sports (Boxing, judo and wrestling) and 30 from non-combative sports (Volleyball, kabaddi and hockey). The average age of the participants was 18 to 25 years (20.5±4.5). Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) questionnaire and the Student Life-Stress Inventory (SLSI) were used for the collection of data. The analysis found that the average anxiety (19.300) and stress (113.800) levels in combative sports were higher than in non-combative sports. Statistical tests indicated that these differences are not significant from a pragmatic standpoint. These differences depend on the specifics of mental pressure and the nature of the sports.