A measure of stress for athletic performance

Impact of Basketball Match on the Pre-Competitive Anxiety and HRV of Youth Female Players

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of a basketball competition on the pre-competitive anxiety and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) of young female basketball players. A total of 12 female basketball players participated in this cross-sectional study. Girls had a mean age of 14 (1.41) years old and a mean experience of 4 (0.85) years practicing basketball. The pre-competitive anxiety and the HRV was assessed the week before and immediately before and after the match. Results showed a significant reduction (p-value < 0.05) of the several HRV variables after the match compared to baseline and pre-competition measures. However, differences between baseline and pre-competition were not found. Furthermore, a significant increase in somatic anxiety after the competition was reported. Taking into account HRV, somatic anxiety, and cognitive anxiety results, young female basketball players did not exhibit an increase in pre-competition anxiety. HRV measurements before competition can help coaches and physical trainers to identify female players with higher pre-competitive anxiety and propose intervention to manage it. Future studies should investigate the impact of coaches and parents on the pre-competitive anxiety of female and male basketball players.

Relationships between physiological and psychological stress and salivary immunoglobulin A among young female gymnasts

We investigated whether psychological and physical stress induced by training or competition influence the secretory immune system among 12 highly trained young female gymnasts. Salivary levels of secretory IgA and cortisol responses to gymnastic training session or competition were assessed a total of 10 times, immediately before and after two training sessions which had different intensities and just before and after a major competition. These parameters were also measured on two non-training days. The Brunel Mood Scale was also used to assess the gymnasts's overall mood on each test day. IgA:Protein ratio was calculated. Significant decreases in this ratio were found after each exercise session, related to the physiological and psychological stress induced by exercise. Over the 5-mo. training period the presession IgA:Protein ratios were unchanged. Gymnasts registered any episodes of upper respiratory tract infection. Bouts of exercise induce transitory effects on the immune system in relation to the workload and the stress induced by the exercise without any relation to increased susceptibility to illness in children.