Performance Enhancement with Low Stress and Anxiety Modulated by Cognitive Flexibility.
- Author:
Doug Hyun HAN
1
;
Hyung Woo PARK
;
Baik Seok KEE
;
Churl NA
;
Do Hyun NA
;
Leonard ZAICHKOWSKY
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Chung Ang University Medical School, Seoul, Korea. hduk@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cognitive flexibility;
Stress;
Anxiety;
Starter professional athletes
- MeSH:
Anxiety;
Athletes;
Humans;
Male;
Pliability;
Trail Making Test;
Wisconsin
- From:Psychiatry Investigation
2011;8(3):221-226
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare cognitive flexibility abilities, stress, and anxiety between starters and non-starter athletes. METHODS: A total of 30 male professional-soccer and 40 professional-baseball athletes were recruited. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test A & B (TMT A & B) were administered to assess cognitive flexibility during competition. The Korean version of the STAI form Y (STAI-KY) and Visual analogue scale for anxiety and stress were used to assess the anxiety and stress. RESULTS: The starter group had better cognitive function (fewer perseverative errors and rapid TMTB times) (Z=3.32, p<0.01; Z=2.20, p=0.03, respectively) and lower stress and anxiety (F=4.34, p=0.01; F=6.61, p<0.01, respectively) during competition than the non-starter group. CONCLUSION: The better cognitive performances were negatively correlated with stress and anxiety. Current results suggested that cognitive flexibility would enhance human performance by modulation of the anxiety and stress during competition.
