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

This study explored the dynamics of sports competitive anxiety among female basketball players at different competition levels, aiming to find variations in anxiety levels across these groups. Anxiety in sports is a prevalent phenomenon influenced by numerous factors, including competition expectations, performance pressures, and individual psychological characteristics. While existing literature acknowledges the impact of anxiety on athletic performance, few studies have specifically examined anxiety levels among basketball players at various competition levels. This research addresses this gap by employing the Sports Competition Anxiety Inventory (SCAT) to measure anxiety levels among 105 female basketball players divided into National, Inter-College, and State-level groups. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests reveal significant differences in anxiety levels among the three groups. Post hoc Tukey HSD tests confirm that State-level players exhibit the highest anxiety levels, followed by Inter-College and National-level players. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing anxiety in athletes to optimize performance and well-being. Targeted interventions aimed at enhancing psychological skills and emotional regulation strategies may help mitigate anxiety levels and improve performance outcomes in female basketball players across different competition levels.