Competitiveness and expectations of performance: Factors influencing the relationship between anxiety direction and performance in triathletes

This study investigated the influence of competitiveness and performance expectations on the relationship between anxiety direction and performance. State and trait anxiety/confidence intensity and direction, competitiveness, and expectations of performance were measured in a sample of triathletes (n=39), prior to competing in a triathlon. Findings supported the hypothesis that anxiety direction would account for more of the variance in performance than anxiety intensity. Among 'Ironman Competitors,' state somatic anxiety direction and confidence intensity were the most important predictors of performance; while both state and trait cognitive anxiety direction and somatic anxiety direction significantly predicted performance in 'Triathletes' (those who competed in Sprint, Olympic or Half-Ironman distance triathlons). For 'Triathletes,' competitiveness mediated the relationship between trait somatic anxiety direction and performance. For all triathletes, certainty of finishing positively influenced performance outcome. Current findings have implications for how triathletes can improve their performance, particularly through their interpretation of somatic anxiety as facilitative.