Fatores da Ansiedade Identificados para Atletas da Categoria Juvenil de Futebol

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety in soccer is a fundamental control variable for performance and adherence of competitive soccer athletes. However, considering the peculiarities of soccer and especially the youth category, an identification of the anxiety factors and a discussion about the influence of these on athletes is missing. Objective: To identify and analyze the interfering factors with anxiety, and affect the performance and behavior of juvenile field soccer athletes. Methods: 40 field soccer athletes participated, aged between 15- 17 years (16.42 ±0.55), time experience 36,95 (±16) months. The sample was selected by convenience during the State Championship of Soccer. An interview and a questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics from Kolmogorov Smirnov and t test for independent samples. Results: Of the 21 factors analyzed, 7 showed negative influence on athletes and 14 positive influences. The factor "Expectation not to achieve professionalism" appeared as the most negative influence factor and the factor "Solving family’s financial problems" the most positive influence. Conclusion: The existence of factors that can influence the youth field soccer athletes’ state of anxiety positively and negatively was proved. Positive motivational factors that stimulate the participation of these young soccer athletes were also identified.