PRE-COMPETITIVE STRESS IN ADOLESCENT BADMINTON PLAYERS

The paper was based on finding out the order of stress-related symptoms in pre-competition hours. We also compared total stress between categories (Under-13 and Under-17) and gender, and determined whether there existed any correlations between stress and hours of training, and stress and players' position in the ranking. The study sample consisted of 128 subjects and was carried out during a top level badminton National Junior Circuit. The instrument used was the pre-competitive stress symptoms list - children and youths (De Rose Jr., 1996). The symptoms of pre-competitive stress most frequently found in players were related to emotions and behaviors. Girls under 17 had higher levels of stress than boys in the same category, in the hours before the competition (boys = 74.40 +/- 16.11, girls = 80.75 +/- 15.22; P < .05), which could be related to the higher dropout from sport of this group. There was no relationship between stress and hours of training (r = .01; P = .92) or position in the ranking (r = -.12; P = .116). In conclusion, Under-17 girl badminton players had higher levels of stress compared to boys in the same category, and youth badminton players are enthusiastic about the arrival of competition.