Before and after the whistle: emotional shifts in elite athletes in relation to competition outcomes

This study analyze the athletes’ emotional experiences before and after important competitions, considering the role of competition moments, competition results, and competitive status, and also examine whether cognitive appraisal and sport-related variables explained the athletes’ emotional experiences. The study included 89 handball athletes from six teams (53% male). Measures of cognitive appraisal, emotions, and performance perception were collected. Results indicated: (a) negative emotions (anxiety, dejection, anger) were closely tied to defeat, while positive emotions (excitement, happiness) were associated with victory and greater participation; (b) competitive status emerged as a consistent moderator, amplifying both positive and negative post-match emotions; and (c) cognitive appraisal was related to pre and post-competition emotions and athletes’ perceptions of performance did not significantly relate to emotional responses. In summary, this study highlights that the competitive moments, the competitive results, and even the athletes’ competitive status are critical factors shaping the emotional experience and the stress adaptation.