Vplyv zranenia na somatickú a kognitívnu úzkosť u vybranej športovej populácie v Českej republike

Abstrakt

Starting point: Injuries are a common and significant stressor in the careers of athletes, often leading to psychological consequences such as anxiety, fear of re-injury, and reduced self-confidence. These effects can negatively influence motivation and performance, and in some cases, lead to early termination of a sports career.
Group: The study involved 167 Czech athletes (121 women and 46 men) aged 15–33, representing various performance levels (elite, competitive, recreational) and sports disciplines (team and individual sports). Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire distributed through sports associations and social media.
Methods: A three-part questionnaire was used: (1) demographic and sports background, (2) injury history and coping strategies, and (3) the standardized CSAI-2 (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2) to assess cognitive and somatic anxiety and self-confidence. The results were compared with normative data (Martens et al., 2006).
Results: 71 % of athletes reported increased cognitive and somatic anxiety after returning to sport post-injury. Repeated injuries were associated with higher levels of anxiety, particularly cognitive anxiety in both team and individual athletes, and somatic anxiety in individual athletes. 42.5 % of repeatedly injured athletes reported a decline in performance or quitting sport altogether.
Conclusions: Injuries, especially repeated ones, significantly impact athletes’ psychological well-being and career trajectories. The findings highlight the need for psychological support, gradual return-to-play protocols, and education on mental health in sports to mitigate the negative effects of injury.