ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES AMONG VARIOUS INSTITUTES OF INTER COLLEGIATE HOCKEY PLAYERS

This study investigates psychological variables, specifically Sports Competition Anxiety and stress, among 144 inter-collegiate field hockey players participating in the tournament held at Bharathiar University and Maruthi College of Physical Education, Coimbatore. Utilizing a randomized group design, players were selected from eight teams, with each team consisting of 18 players. The investigator obtained prior permission and explained the test procedures before administering standardized questionnaires to assess the selected psychological variables. Data were collected, scored, and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a significance level set at 0.05. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. The ANOVA results indicated significant differences in Sports Competition Anxiety and stress levels among the eight groups of players, leading to post hoc analyses for pair wise comparisons where applicable. This research provides valuable insights into the psychological profiles of inter-collegiate hockey players, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and stress management in competitive sports performance.