Psychophysiological stress responses during training and competition in young female competitive tennis players

Abstract

The aims of this study were to compare the psycho-physiological stress responses during a real competitive game and a training session in a group of high level young female tennis players. Twelve players were monitored during one match and a training day (i.e. simulated match play). Measurements included salivary cortisol (SC); the revised Competitive Sport Anxiety Inventory, heart rate (HR), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Match day elicited higher SC levels for losers in all-time points when compared to winners. All players showed significantly lower SC levels during training when compared to the match at all-time points except at evening for winners. Winners on match and training situations had significantly higher self-confidence and lower cognitive anxiety and somatic anxiety scores than losers. Heart rate and RPE were significantly higher for losers only during the match (158.9 ± 8.3 vs. 168 ± 6.7 bpm; 12.9 ± 1.2 vs. 15 ± 0.8, for losers and winners, respectively). There were moderate to strong correlations between SC, self-confidence and anxiety scores, and match workload (i.e. HR and RPE) only during the match day. These results indicate that the interplay between psycho-physiological responses, match workload and outcome was evident only under real competitive situations.

Psychophysiological Stress Responses during Training and Competition in Young Female Competitive Tennis Players (PDF Download Available). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262535616_Psychophysiological_Stress_Responses_during_Training_and_Competition_in_Young_Female_Competitive_Tennis_Players [accessed Jul 24, 2017].