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American Journal of  Physical Education 
and Health Science (AJPEHS)

Regional Dynamics on Anxiety Levels among Female Elite Soccer Players in Manipur 
and Tripura

Sharina Naorem1*, Sm Farooque1, Sudip Das1

Volume 2 Issue 1, Year 2024
ISSN: 2992-9679 (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajpehs.v2i1.2543
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajpehs

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: February 07, 2024

Accepted: March 02, 2024

Published: March 06, 2024

Elite athletes’ psychological well-being is said to play a significant role in their competitive 
nervousness, taking into account factors like performance anxiety, fear of  failing, and pre-
game anxiety. Even while research on anxiety in sports has advanced significantly, there 
hasn’t been much attention paid to female elite football players in Manipur and Tripura. 
The purpose of  the study is to study explore the complex relationship between anxiety and 
football performance of  elite female players of  Manipur and Tripura. Forty-two female 
athletes, aged 18-25, representing national tournaments for their respective states (21 from 
Manipur and 21 from Tripura), were purposively selected for the study. The Competitive 
State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) was employed to measure three dimensions of  anxiety: 
somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, and self-confidence. Descriptive statistics and the Mann-
Whitney U test were utilized for data analysis. Results revealed variations in anxiety levels 
between the two groups. Tripura Sports School exhibited higher somatic anxiety, while YWC 
Manipur displayed higher cognitive anxiety and self-confidence. The study suggests that 
differences in training facilities, competitive exposure, and regional disparities may contribute 
to the observed variations in anxiety levels. The findings underscore the importance of  a 
holistic approach to athlete development, integrating mental health support with physical 
training. Coaches, sports organizations, and policymakers should consider these insights 
when designing programs and implementing mental health initiatives for female elite soccer 
players in diverse regional contexts.

Keywords
Cognitive Anxiety, Somatic 
Anxiety, Self  Confidence, 
Competition

INTRODUCTION
Soccer, as a globally celebrated sport, serves as a 
unique platform for athletes to showcase their physical 
prowess and mental fortitude (Turner & Stewart, 2014). 
Showcasing talent and achieving the high level of  
performance cover a wide area of  psychological aspects. 
Psychological aspects of  soccer performance, including 
anxiety, aggression, stress and mental toughness have 
been acknowledged as pivotal determinants of  success 
(Liew et al., 2019) & (Cowden, 2017). How a player 
perceive anxiety and how an individual manage to 
control determine their performance. Anxiety levels 
among the soccer players have been a topic of  interest 
in recent years (Ford et al., 2017) as mental health and 
its impact on performance are being recognized. Poor 
performance is caused by an increase in anxiety (Ford et 
al., 2017). In the dynamic realm of  sports psychology, the 
intersection between anxiety and athletic performance 
stands as a compelling area of  exploration (Rowland & 
van Lankveld, 2019), & (Ford et al., 2017), Additionally, 
there appears to be a widespread belief  in the field of  
sport psychology that worry predictably affects athletic 
performance. Numerous research has discovered factors 
that may influence the way that different types of  anxiety 
manifest in sports performance, and numerous studies 
have demonstrated the detrimental effects that sports 
competitive anxiety has on soccer (Bukhari et al., 2021).
In recent research, the spotlight on the mental health 
of  soccer players has gained unprecedented attention, 

acknowledging the complexity between psychological 
well-being and athletic performance (Baniasadi & 
Salehian, 2021) & (Bali et al., 2015). As athletes strive to 
achieve excellence, the intricate interplay of  physiological 
and psychological factors becomes increasingly evident 
(Till & Baker, 2020), & (Razali Abdullah et al., 2016).
Effectively managing this relationship between anxiety 
and football becomes crucial for sustaining optimal 
performance on the field. Players often employ 
various psychological strategies, such as mindfulness, 
visualization, and goal-setting, to mitigate anxiety and 
enhance their mental resilience. The relationship between 
anxiety and football performance is a multifaceted 
interplay that encompasses pre-game nerves, fear of  
failure, and performance anxiety. The pressure to excel at 
an elite level, coupled with external scrutiny, adds layers 
of  complexity to this relationship. Effectively managing 
anxiety becomes a key component in achieving and 
sustaining optimal performance on the soccer field.
While existing literature has made significant strides in 
understanding anxiety in (Liew et al., 2019; Rice et al., 2019; 
Rowland & van Lankveld, 2019), but a specific focus on 
the female elite soccer players of  Manipur and Tripura is 
noticeably absent. These regions, with their rich cultural 
heritage and distinct sporting environments, present an 
interesting setting to explore the factors contributing to 
anxiety in elite athletes. In Manipur and Tripura, where 
soccer being a mere sport to become an integral part 
of  the cultural fabric, female athletes navigate a unique 

1 Department of  Physical Education, Tripura University, Tripura, India
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: sharinanaorem00@gmail.com



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Am. J. Phys. Educ. Health Sci. 2(1) 17-21, 2024

confluence of  traditional values, societal expectations, 
and the demanding rigors of  competitive sports. The 
inherent pressures associated with elite-level soccer can 
significantly impact the mental well-being of  players, 
influencing not only their on-field performance but also 
their overall quality of  life. This study tries to explore 
the relationship between soccer and anxiety, taking into 
account the experience that shape the female players in 
Manipur and Tripura. 

LITERATURE REVIEW
The complex and multifaceted relationship between 
anxiety and football performance is a dynamic 
interplay that delves into the psychological distinctions 
experienced by soccer players. Anxiety, in the context 
of  football, can manifest in various forms, creating a 
complex web of  emotions that influence players both 
mentally and (Madsen et al., 2022). One facet of  this 
relationship is the prevalence of  pre-game nerves, a 
phenomenon commonly experienced by soccer players 
before stepping onto the field (Fadare et al., 2022). The 
anticipation of  competition, combined with the desire to 
excel, can lead to heightened anxiety levels. These pre-
game nerves are not merely a transient experience; they 
can significantly impact cognitive processes, affecting 
decision-making, concentration, and overall performance 
(Prasad Sahu, 2016). Fear of  failure is another dimension 
that intertwines with anxiety in the world of  football. 
The pressure to meet expectations, whether from oneself, 
teammates, coaches, or supporters, can instil a deep-
seated fear of  not living up to the standards set by others 
or even by one’s own internal benchmarks(Esguerra et al., 
2023). This fear can create a psychological burden that, if  
not effectively managed, may hinder a player’s ability to 
perform optimally (Sagar et al., 2010) & (Ford et al., 2017). 
Performance anxiety, a pervasive aspect of  the relationship 
between anxiety and football, stems from the scrutiny 
players face from fans, the media, and even their own self-
evaluation. The constant evaluation of  every move on 
the field, coupled with the potential for public criticism, 
contributes to a heightened sense of  pressure(Hussein, 
2024). This pressure, if  not addressed, can evolve into 

a self-perpetuating cycle where anxiety adversely affects 
performance, leading to further anxiety (Bukhari et al., 
2021b) & (Razali Abdullah et al., 2016). The pressure to 
perform at an elite level intensifies the complexity of  this 
relationship. In elite soccer, the expectations are elevated, 
and the margin for error is minimal. Players are not only 
competing against opponents but also against the weight 
of  their own reputation and the expectations of  fans and 
stakeholders. The constant pursuit of  excellence in such 
a competitive environment can contribute to persistent 
anxiety that permeates various aspects of  a player’s 
mental and emotional well-being.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study was designed with a main objective to find 
the level of  anxiety perceive by the Female Elite Soccer 
Players of  Manipur and Tripura. Total of  N=42 subjects 
of  18-25 years of  female player represented national 
tournaments for their respective states were purposively 
selected, where twenty-one (n=21) were from Manipur 
and twenty-one (n=21) were from Tripura. For collection 
of  data, Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), 
a sport-specific state anxiety scale developed by Martens, 
Vealey, and Burton (1990) were used to collect the data. 
The scale divides anxiety into three components: cognitive 
anxiety, somatic anxiety, and a related component-self-
confidence and each dimension has nine question each. 
The intensity response dimension was rated on a 4-point 
Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much). 
To score the CSAI-2, take all the scores for each item at 
face value with the exception of  item 14, and reverse the 
score i.e., (1 = 4; 2 = 3; 3 = 2; 4 = 1). 
The researcher explained questionnaire clearly and read 
the instructions to the subjects to fill the questionnaire. 
The researcher has also given all the required items to 
fill the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and ‘Mann-
Whitney U test’ test was used for analysing data. The level 
of  significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS
Table 1 depicts the descriptive results of  Tripura Sports 
School and YWC Manipur, which were measured on three 

Table 1: Descriptive statistic of  three different dimension
Parameters Tripura Sports School Level of  Anxiety YWC Manipur Level of  Anxiety

Mean Sd Mean Sd
Somatic Anxiety 26.04 ±3.38 High 20.71 ±1.67 Average
Cognitive Anxiety 20.14 ±3.07 Average 24.04 ±2.43 High
Self  Confidence 16.67 ±2.79 low 31 ±2.16 High

distinct dimensions: somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, 
and self-confidence. The results revealed that the Tripura 
Sports School group had a higher mean and standard 
deviation of  26.04±3.38 in Somatic Anxiety than the 
YWC Manipur 20.71±1.67. However, the YWC Manipur 

group had a higher mean (24.04±3.07) in Cognitive 
Anxiety than the Tripura Sports School (20.14±2.43). In 
Self- Confidence, Tripura Sports School demonstrated a 
significantly lower mean (16.67±2.79) in self-confidence 
compared with YWC Manipur (31.00±2.16).



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Am. J. Phys. Educ. Health Sci. 2(1) 17-21, 2024

Figure 1 displays a graphical illustration of  the three 
distinct dimensions of  somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, 
and self-confidence of  Tripura Sports School and YWC 
Manipur. The Manipuri players have less somatic anxiety 
than Tripura. In the case of  cognitive anxiety and self-
confidence, Manipuri players have higher cognitive 
anxiety, as shown in Figure. 1.
Table 2 displays the Mann-Whitney U test conducted to 

compare the mean ranks of  the two groups, Tripura and 
Manipur, on the variables i.e. somatic anxiety, cognitive 
anxiety, and self-confidence. The results of  the Mann-
Whitney U test showed a statistically significant difference 
between the Tripura and Manipur groups. The U value 
is 9.500, and the Wilcoxon W value is 240.500, which is 
significant at the 0.05 level of  significance.

Figure 1: Illustration of  somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, and self-confidence of  Tripura Sports School and YWC 
Manipur

Table 2: Mann-Whitney U Test for Group Comparison
Group N Mean Rank Sum of  rank Mann-Whitney U Test Wilcoxon W Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed)
Tripura 21 11.45 240.50 9.500 240.500 .000
Manipur 21 31.55 662.50
Total 42

*Significance at 0.05

DISCUSSION
Anxiety is a common emotional experience characterized 
by fear, apprehension, or unease, and it is often 
categorized either as an emotion when described by the 
person experiencing it or as an affect when observed 
by an external party (Steimer, 2002). In the context of  
sports, players frequently encounter significant anxiety, 
which can impact their performance during matches 
(Fekih et al., 2021). Players may perceive anxiety in varying 
dimensions, and there is a significant negative correlation 
between somatic and cognitive anxiety and self-
confidence. The somatic dimension of  anxiety involves 
physical sensations and physiological reactions, whereas 
cognitive anxiety is related to mental processes such as 
fear and anxiety. In the context of  sports performance, 
these dimensions of  anxiety are often opposed to self-
confidence, which affects players’ overall mindset and 
affects their ability to perform optimally in competitions 
(Robazza & Bortoli, 2007). 
The study reveals variations in the three dimensions 
of  anxiety i.e., somatic anxiety, cognitive anxiety, and 
self-confidence among Tripura and Manipuri players. 
Specifically, Tripura players shows higher somatic anxiety, 
while Manipuri players reveal higher cognitive anxiety and 

higher self-confidence. The finding of  the study cannot 
precisely reveal the reason why higher cognitive anxiety 
has low self-confidence however a no. of  possible cause 
for difference is worth mentioning. These differences may 
be attributed to variations in experience and exposure 
between the two groups. The influence of  anxiety, 
particularly competition anxiety, is heavily dependent on 
an individual’s career-long experiences, exposure, level of  
participation, and training methods(Goette et al., 2015). 
Coaches should therefore provide careful guidance and 
make efforts to mitigate anxiety-related decreases in 
confidence in soccer. In addition, there is a need to guide 
players to self-management through the development and 
use of  effective and systematic psychological skills using 
various techniques. These efforts would lead to positive 
match outcomes by minimizing players’ loss of  match 
performances even in away games (Seyong Jang, 2018).
The observed differences in results between the two 
groups can be attributed to differences in training and 
experience. The infrastructure and grassroots academy 
development are significantly higher in Manipur 
compared to Tripura (Naorem et al., 2020). Additionally, it 
was reported that Manipuri players found to be exposed 
more competitive opportunities which contributing 



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to their skills to control the anxiety in any situation. 
These discrepancies in training facilities and competitive 
exposure are likely to play a decisive role in shaping the 
level of  anxiety and self-confidence of  players from 
Manipur and Tripura.  
Determined the factors contributing to athletes’ anxiety 
and self-confidence is essential for sports development 
strategies. Addressing disparities in training facilities, 
improvising psychological skill and providing competitive 
exposure can play a decisive role in fostering a positive 
psychological environment for athletes. Initiatives 
aimed at improving infrastructure and ensuring equal 
opportunities for athletes from different regions can 
contribute to reducing anxiety and increasing self-
confidence, thereby optimizing sports performance.

CONCLUSION
The anxiety levels among female elite soccer players vary 
between Manipur and Tripura. There are differences 
in anxiety levels between female elite football players 
in Manipur and Tripura. The results imply that 
socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors may 
have a significant impact on athletes’ mental health in 
these areas. The study provides opportunities for future 
research to examine the particular difficulties faced by 
female football players in Manipur and Tripura, even 
though it did not specifically address the reasons of  
worry. Gaining an understanding of  these variables can 
help with the creation of  focused therapies and support 
networks that improve athletes’ general wellbeing. The 
study also emphasises how crucial it is to approach 
athlete development holistically, taking into account both 
mental health assistance and physical training. Coaches, 
sports organizations, and policymakers should take these 
findings into account when designing training programs 
and implementing mental health initiatives for female 
elite soccer players.

Acknowledgement
We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who have 
contributed to the completion of  this manuscript. This 
work would not have been possible without the support, 
guidance, and collaboration of  numerous individuals and 
organizations.

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