Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

This study investigates sports competition anxiety among national-level Kho-Kho and Kabaddi players using the Sports Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) developed by Martens in 1977. The sample comprised 90 national-level players, equally divided between Kho-Kho (n=45) and Kabaddi (n=45). Convenience sampling was employed to select participants. The SCAT, which includes 15 statements assessing various dimensions of competitive anxiety, was administered to quantify anxiety levels. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with a T-test used to evaluate mean differences between the two groups at a significance level of 0.05. Results indicate a statistically significant difference in anxiety levels between Kho-Kho and Kabaddi players, with Kho-Kho players exhibiting higher mean anxiety scores (Mean = 21.1778) compared to Kabaddi players (Mean = 17.3556). The study underscores the need for sport-specific psychological interventions to manage competition anxiety effectively. These findings provide valuable insights for coaches, sports psychologists, and athletes, emphasizing the importance of addressing psychological factors in training programs. Future research should explore the underlying causes of these differences and extend the analysis to other sports and athlete populations to develop comprehensive strategies for optimizing performance and well-being.