A Cross-Sectional Study to Estimate the Presence of Anxiety in Injured Cricketers.

Abstract

Purpose: State anxiety is an unpleasant psychological state experienced by cricketers due to perceived
performance stress. It is often an overlooked criterion for return to sports after an injury. There is a need to
evaluate presence of anxiety as it leads to physical symptoms and hence injury. Mental training is a very
important tool for handling anxiety but there is lack of training which further predisposes players to reinjury.
This study aims to evaluate presence of anxiety in cricketers who have suffered sport-related injury
and have returned to play. It also explores the method used by these cricketers to handle anxiety.
Method: 60 injured cricketers were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A baseline
questionnaire was prepared to collect basic demographic data and Sports Anxiety Questionnaire (SCAT)
which is a self-administered scale was included to determine presence of anxiety. Anxiety scores were
calculated to determine the players level of anxiety.
Results: It was found that 65% players experience high anxiety, 32% had average anxiety and 3% had low
anxiety levels. 45% of players reported re-injury.
Conclusion: Undiagnosed anxiety was found to exist in injured cricketers which may predispose them
to re-injury. All the players were aware of mental training techniques but reported lack of guidance and
professional help.