State-trait anxiety and reduced emotional intelligence in combat sport athletes of different genders and competitive levels

Abstract

This study compared the emotional intelligence and state-trait anxiety between competitive level, gender and performance. For this, were measured 444 athletes (female n=171) from jiu-jitsu (n=142), judo (n=137), karate (n=57), kendo (n=63), taekwondo (n=25) and wrestling (n=20). We applied the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) and Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24). The results indicated that high-level female showed lower state anxiety than the low-level [14.0 (1.0; 36.0) vs. 20.0 (1.0; 58.0); p=0.03]. High-level showed lower values than intermediate (p=0.006) and lower-level (p=0.013). The 1st regression, the regulation dimension was the main variable to explain the level of competition for females (R2=0.046), in the 2nd model, the regulation dimension and state anxiety explained the level (R2=0.066). For males, trace anxiety explained the lower-level (R2=0.019). In conclusion, lower-level female athletes are more anxious than lower-males, but in the domains of emotional intelligence, higher-level female showed a higher comprehension and perception than higher- males.