A Study On Competition Anxiety Of U16 Tennis Players

As a reserve force for national high-level tennis players,the psychological state of young tennis players plays a crucial role in their entry into higher level training.And teenagers are in the Key Stage of psychological development.If we do not pay attention to and improve the competition anxiety of young tennis players in this period,it will be difficult for later athletes to grow into high-level athletes in training and competition.Therefore,this study aims to take the current situation of competition anxiety among U16 tennis players in Shanxi Province as the starting point,clarify the current situation of competition anxiety among young tennis players in Shanxi Province,analyze its causes and influencing factors,explore methods to improve the current situation of competition anxiety among young tennis players,improve and stabilize their sports performance,and provide theoretical support for the cultivation of tennis reserve talents in China.Research methods:This study adopts literature review,expert interviews,questionnaire surveys,and mathematical statistics methods,supported by Spielberg’s anxiety theory.The Cognitive Trait Anxiety Scale(CCTAI-C)developed by Dr.Ye Ping and the Competition State Anxiety Scale(CSAI-2)revised by Zhu Beili were used to investigate and study 109 athletes from the U16 group of the 2022 Youth Tennis Championships in Shanxi Province.Research results:(1)The scores of each dimension of the Cognitive Trait Anxiety Scale were(16.67 ± 4.921)points for the social evaluation anxiety dimension;The dimension of competition preparation anxiety(17.27 ± 4.322)points;The dimension of competitive performance is(14.63 ± 3.425)points;The dimension of failure anxiety scores(13.45± 3.961);Anxiety about the opponent’s strength(13.01 ± 2.041)points;The scores of injury anxiety(10.65 ± 2.913)and six dimensional scores were higher than the norm of Chinese athletes,and the differences were statistically significant.(2)The scores of various dimensions in the Competition State Anxiety Scale for male and female athletes were 19.45 ± 5.665 for males and 19.91 ± 4.691 for females;Physical state anxiety dimension(male 18.21 ± 5.025,female 19.56 ± 4.462)scores;The dimensions of state self-confidence(21.68 ± 5.259 for males and 20.70 ± 3.177 for females)were scored.In terms of three-dimensional scores,both male and female athletes had higher scores in cognitive state anxiety and physical state anxiety than the Chinese athlete norm,while state self-confidence was lower than the Chinese athlete norm.The difference was statistically significant.Research conclusions:(1)There is a common phenomenon of competition anxiety among young tennis players in Shanxi Province.After comparing with the Chinese norm,it was found that the cognitive trait anxiety and competition state anxiety of young tennis players in Shanxi Province are both at a high level,and reflect differences in anxiety among different genders,ages,training years,and whether they have participated in the same level of competition.(2)There is a significant difference in the dimensions of competitive performance anxiety and physical state anxiety among adolescent tennis players of different genders,with women having higher levels of competitive performance anxiety and physical state anxiety than men;There is a significant difference in the dimensions of opponent’s strength anxiety and cognitive state anxiety among young tennis players of different ages.Athletes aged 15 and above have lower anxiety levels in the dimensions of opponent’s strength anxiety and cognitive state anxiety than athletes aged 15 and below.(3)There are significant differences in the dimensions of social evaluation anxiety,competitive level performance anxiety,cognitive state anxiety,and physical state anxiety among young tennis players with different training years.As the training years increase,the levels of social evaluation anxiety,competitive level performance anxiety,cognitive state anxiety,and physical state anxiety among young tennis players will decrease;There are significant differences in the dimensions of preparation anxiety,opponent’s strength anxiety,physical state anxiety,and state confidence among young tennis players who have participated in the same level of competition or not.Compared with athletes who have not participated in the same level of competition,young tennis players who have participated in the same level of competition have lower levels of preparation anxiety,opponent’s strength anxiety,and physical state anxiety,and higher levels of state confidence.(4)Combining the research results of this study with the characteristics of adolescent tennis events.This study proposes targeted methods such as simulation training,psychological suggestion,venting,and behavioral habits to regulate the level of competition anxiety among young tennis players.