Abstract

MOLINA, José; SANDIN, Bonifacio  and  CHOROT, Paloma. Anxiety sensitivity and choking under pressure: effects on sport performance in adolescents. CPD [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.1, pp.45-54. ISSN 1989-5879.

The aim of the present study was to examine dispositional anxiety sensitivity and positive and negative affectivity as moderators of choking in sport. One hundred high school students (66% were females) completed the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children and Adolescents (PANASN) prior to completing a badminton set in low-pressure and high-pressure conditions. A series of ANOVAs supported the hypothesis that anxiety sensitivity, but not positive or negative affectivity, acts as a moderator of the choking effect under psychological pressure; participants with high anxiety sensitivity showed a dramatic drop on sport performance during the high-pressured condition. The present study extends the choking literature including the anxiety sensitivity as a new relevant variable in this field of sport and physical activity psychology.

Keywords : Choking; anxiety sensitivity; affectivity; sport; physical activity; adolescents.

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