An examination of the relationship between trait anxiety and injury rates among NCAA female collegiate gymnasts

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between competition trait anxiety and injury rates among female collegiate gymnasts.; Problem. The question is whether or not trait anxiety is related to injury rates in gymnastics.; Method. The research design for this study was descriptive. The subjects consisted of a sample of Division I, and Division II female college gymnasts. SCAT questionnaires were administered to the same 10% of the NCAA gymnasts in Division I and Division II as was given by the NCAA ISS.; Findings. A significant linear relationship between year in college and anxiety level was calculated. Gymnasts competing in their senior year of college have more anxiety than gymnasts competing in their junior year of college.; Conclusion. The gymnasts in this study did not report high levels of competition trait anxiety. Most injuries occur during meets and tend to be severe in nature. No conclusions were drawn correlating anxiety scores with injury rates.