Abstract:The study aimed to investigate and compare achievement motivation and anxiety levels among inter-university athletes participating in different sports. Conducted by Vikas Yadav from the Department of Physical Education at the University of Lucknow, this research involved a sample of 100 athletes, including 50 males and 50 females, aged 17 to 25 years. The athletes were drawn from various sports disciplines, including basketball, handball, volleyball, hockey, badminton, swimming, track and field, and gymnastics.
The primary objectives were to assess the levels of anxiety and achievement motivation among athletes across different sports and to explore how these factors varied by gender. Standardized tools, including Dr. Sharma's Anxiety Test and M.L. Kamlesh’s Achievement Motivation Test, were used to collect data. The Competitive Sports Anxiety Inventory (CSAI) and Sports Achievement Motivation Questionnaires were administered to participants prior to their competitions.
Data analysis employed two-way ANOVA to determine differences based on gender and sport, with significance set at 0.05. Results showed significant differences in achievement motivation between male and female athletes, as well as among athletes from various sports. Urban athletes demonstrated higher levels of aggression, while rural athletes exhibited greater competition anxiety. Scheffe's Posthoc Test further revealed significant differences in achievement motivation across several sports, with the swimming group showing the highest motivation levels and the volleyball group the lowest.
The findings highlight the importance of tailored psychological interventions to address the specific needs of athletes from different sports and genders. These insights are valuable for coaches, physical education teachers, and sports psychologists in optimizing athlete performance and mental well-being. The study underscores the necessity of integrating psychological conditioning into sports training to enhance overall athletic success.