Agony of a steel: experiences and coping mechanism of elite students athlete with competition anxiety

Abstract

This study was conducted at Tagum City, Davao Del Norte. The participants were college student elite athletes who participate several of national and international competition. It employed the qualitative research method using the phenomenological approach. Phenomenology because it talks about the lived experiences of elite student athletes with their competition anxiety. This study aimed to delve more on how anxiety could affect the performance of an athlete and to know how they cope up with their anxieties (somatic and cognitive) before and during the competitions. In addition, this synthesis addressed cognitive and somatic anxiety in relationship to athlete performance. To gather needed data, we conducted a qualitative research and interviewed 15 participants, 7 for in-depth interview and 8 for focus group. The triangulation of data was realized through the data sources of the in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and we, the researchers as the third informants. Moreover, to the future researchers who are interested in conducting similar studies on elite athletes or competition anxiety. Overall, it is a useful source for schools that will be used by the coaches and administrators of the college.