Rating of perceived exertion, anxiety and self-confidence in semi-professional soccer players

Abstract

Objetive: To analyze the rate of perceived exertion and anxiety states (cognitive and somatic), self-confidence in semi-professional soccer players. Method: 18 semi-professional Spanish soccer players with at least 3 years’ experience in the national category participated (age: 26.4; weight: 75.8 kg; height: 181 cm), classified as two goalkeepers, three central defenders, three internal defenders, four midfielders, three wingers, three forwards. Ten matches were analyzed (five at home and five as visitors) and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory 2 questionnaire and Borg's Category Ratio scale 10 for the rate of perceived exertion were used. A one-way analysis of variance test (game position) and t-test for independent samples (location and role) were performed. Results: Significant differences have been obtained in these psycho-physiological variables in relation to game positions, location, and game role. Conclusion: In this case report, players with a defensive role and those who play as visitors have lower rate of perceived exertion and attackers have higher somatic anxiety and self-confidence prior to the sports competition.