THE EFFECTS OF AGE, SPORTS EXPERIENCE AND PHYSICAL SELF PERCEPTION ON COMPETITION ANXIETY LEVELS OF FEMALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of age, sport experience and physical self perception on competition anxiety in female football players. 83 female football players in Premier League division of Turkish professional leagues participated in this study voluntarily. Sport Competitive Anxiety Test (SCAT) was used in order to determine the level of competitive anxiety, and the Physical Self-Perception Inventory was used in order to determine sport ability, physical condition, body attractiveness, strength and general physical competence. According to the results of Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis, competition anxiety was negatively correlated with sport experience (r=.-218; p<0.01), sport ability (r=.-486; p<0.01), physical condition (r=.-461; p<0.01), strength (r=.-283; p<0.01), and general physical competence (r=.-360; p<0.01). On the other hand age was significantly correlated with sport experience (r=.697; p<0.01), sport ability (r=.327; p<0.01), physical condition (r=.461; p<0.01), body attractiveness (r=.551; p<0.01), strength (r=.224; p<0.05), and general physical competence (r=.475; p<0.01). Similarly sport experience was significantly correlated with sport ability (r=.528; p<0.01), physical condition (r=.519; p<0.01), body attractiveness (r=.280; p<0.01), strength (r=.299; p<0.05), and general physical competence (r=.415; p<0.01). As a result of Stepwise Multiple Regression Analyses; age, sport experience, sport ability, physical condition, body attractiveness, strength, general physical competence has caused 37.5% of the competition anxiety. To conclude, the results of the present study pointed out that age, sport experience, sport ability, physical condition, body attractiveness, strength and general physical competence are important factors in determining competition anxiety.