Characteristics of neurotic angst of martial arts athletes: A study using STAI and EQS

Abstract

[Purpose] We investigated the mental characteristics of martial arts athletes using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Emotional Intelligence Scale (EQS). [Subjects] The subjects were 80 healthy male martial arts athletes with an average age of 22.6 ± 4.7. [Methods] We conducted STAI and EQS assessments, divided the athletes into Boxing (boxers and kick-boxers) and Grappling (judo and wrestlers) groups, and investigated and compared the types of sport and groups. [Results] In the STAI no differences were found between the groups or sports, but state anxiety and trait anxiety showed a tendency to have high scores compared to the standard score. In the EQS, the Boxing group showed significantly high values of self-control, and significantly low values of empathy. [Conclusion] The results suggest that a mental characteristic of martial arts athletes is a tendency to be susceptible to anxiety, and that the characteristics of a particular sport give shape to differences in areas of emotional intelligence. © 2014 by the Society of Physical Therapy Science.