THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRE-COMPETITIVE STATE ANXIETY LEVELS OF YOUNG ATHLETES WITH MOTIVATION DIMENSIONS AND GOAL ORIENTATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the pre-competitive state anxiety levels of stars category athletes with the dimensions of motivation and goal orientation. A total of 94 athletes, namely 44 young males and 50 young females competing in the stars category, with an age range of 16.9 ± 1.3 years participated in the study. In order to measure athletes’ state of anxiety levels in the competition environment, the competitive state anxiety inventory (CSAI-2) was applied. For measuring motivation dimensions, the sport motivation scale (SMS); and for determining goal orientation, the sport task and ego orientation in sport questionnaire (TEOSQ) were used in the study. For data analysis purposes; descriptive statistics, Pearson's product moment correlation, and the t-test for independent samples were used. As a result, it was revealed that young male athletes were more ego-oriented than the females. Both athlete groups’ amotivation levels were higher than the average. Significant relationships were found between the athletes’ pre-competitive anxiety levels, dimensions of motivation, and goal orientation. To conclude, it may be accepted that children and young athletes experience anxiety and lack of motivation since their coaches are forcing them to exercise like adults. Furthermore, male athletes tended to be more ego-oriented than female athletes.