Precompetitive anxiety (PCA) is problematic for young gymnasts and may have an influence on a multitude of factors like self-confidence, perceived level of self-efficacy, and athlete's performance in a competition. The objective of this 2-part study was to discover how earlier competitive experience influences the young gymnasts' level of anxiety, perception of control, and self-efficacy. An additional goal was to explore the potential impact of Guided imagery (GI) and Autogenic training (AGT) in reducing precompetitive anxiety. In the first study, 80 USAG Junior Olympic female gymnasts between the ages of 7 and 16 (40 compulsory level and 40 optional level) participated. The purpose was to test differences in levels of PCA, locus of control, and self-efficacy among optional level and compulsory level gymnasts. An independent samples t test and a Mann-Whitney nonparametric test showed that optional level gymnasts had higher cognitive anxiety, lower confidence level, and higher internal locus of control compared with compulsory level gymnasts, with no significant mean difference in somatic anxiety and self-efficacy. For the second study, 30 participants were divided into 3 treatment groups: (a) AGT group, (b) GI group, and (c) control group. Results of repeated measure ANOVAs revealed that mean anxiety scores decreased over time for the autogenic group as compared to the control and guided imagery group. The internal LOC mean scores were lower for the autogenic group, compared to the other groups, but internal locus of control did increase over time for the autogenic group. The social significance of this study suggests that enhanced performance and enjoyment in sports may allow athletes to remain active in sports while teaching them life-long strategies to reduce anxiety and stress in their lives.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar el efecto de un programa de intervención con componente mindfulness para la reducción de la ansiedad precompetitiva, el cual fue adaptado de programas que han demostrado su eficacia. La intervención estuvo compuesta por 12 sesiones de 1 hora de duración. Participaron en el estudio 33 deportistas de artes marciales (M = 18.97 años, DE = 1.64; 69.7% hombres). La ansiedad precompetitiva fue evaluada con la versión revisada del Inventario de Ansiedad Estado Competitiva -2 (CSAI-2R; Cox, Martens y Rusell, 2003), antes y después del periodo de la intervención. De acuerdo al grado de participación en la intervención, la muestra fue dividida en 2 grupos: Grupo Control (GC, n = 16) y Grupo Experimental (GE, n = 17). Los resultados evidenciaron diferencias significativas con tamaños del efecto grandes en la medida post test del GE, revelando una disminución en los niveles de ansiedad somática y cognitiva, y un aumento en los niveles de autoconfianza. Mientras, en el GC, no se obtuvo diferencias significativas y los tamaños del efecto fueron irrelevantes / The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of an intervention program with mindfulness component for the reduction of precompetitive anxiety, which was adapted from programs that have demonstrated their effectiveness. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions of 1 hour duration. Thirty-three martial arts athletes participated in the study (M = 18.97 years, SD = 1.64, 69.7% men and 30.3% women). Precompetitive anxiety was evaluated with the revised version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory -2 (CSAI-2R, Cox, Martens and Russell, 2003), before and after the intervention period. According to the degree of participation in the intervention, the sample was divided into 2 groups: Experimental Group (EG, n = 16) and Control Group (CG, n = 17). The results showed statistically significant differences in the EG post-test measure, revealing a decrease in the levels of somatic and cognitive anxiety, and an increase in levels of self-confidence. Meanwhile, in the CG, no significant differences were obtained and the effect sizes were irrelevant. / Revisón por pares

Self-efficacy was found as a strong predictor of sport performance in many researches. In this paper we focus on self-efficacy in children doing sport and we observe the relationship between self-efficacy, competitive anxiety and sport performance in children. In theoretical part we define self-efficacy, its sources and types of self-efficacy measurements in sport and physical activity. We summarize knowledge from previous researches and we also give some information about sport in children, especially about their physical and mental sport preparation. Empirical part of this paper presents our research done with young swimmers aged 10-15 years. We used Physical Self-efficacy Scale for children PSE and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory for Children CSAI-2C. Despite of our assumptions we didn't find self-efficacy or competitive anxiety to be a strong predictor of objective sport performance. Significance was found in subjective performance and its relationship to self-efficacy (positive correlations) and precompetitive cognitive anxiety (negative correlations). Keywords: Self-efficacy, precompetitive anxiety, sport, adolescence, CSAI-2C, PSE