Modelling the Relationships between Training, Anxiety, and Fatigue in Elite Athletes

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of 40-week training on anxiety and perceived fatigue in four elite triathletes. Anxiety and perceived fatigue were self-reported by the subjects twice a week by the way of a specific questionnaire and were linked by a mathematical model to the training loads calculated from the exercise heart rate. A significant relationship (r = 0.32; p < 0.001) between the training loads and anxiety was identified using a two-component model: a first, negative (i.e., anxiety decreased) short-term (τ₁ = 23 days) function and a second, positive long-term (τ₂ = 59 days) function. The relationship between the training loads and perceived fatigue was significant (r = 0.30; p < 0.001), with one negative function (τ₁ = 4 days). This mathematical model can potentially describe the relationships between training loads and anxiety or perceived fatigue and may improve both the adjustment of the duration of tapering and the early detection of staleness.

Key words

Mathematical model - periodisation - training loads - triathletes

References

• 1 Alfermann D, Stoll O. Effects of physical exercise on self-concept and well-being.  Int J Sport Psycho. 2000;  30 47-65
• 2 Asci F H. The effects of physical fitness training on trait anxiety and physical self-concept of female university students.  Psychol Sport Exerc. 2003;  4 255-264
• 3 Banister E W, Hamilton C L. Variations in iron status with fatigue modelled from training in female distance runners.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1985;  54 16-23
• 4 Banister E W, Good P, Holman G, Hamilton C L. Modeling the training response in athletes. Landers DM The 1984 Olympic Scientific Congress Proceedings Sport and Elite Performers. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1986: 7-23
• 5 Bahrke M S, Morgan W P. Anxiety reduction following exercise and meditation.  Cogn Ther Res. 1978;  2 323-334
• 6 Busso T, Benoit H, Bonnefoy R, Feasson L, Lacour J R. Effects of training frequency on the dynamics of performance response to a single training bout.  J Appl Physiol. 2002;  92 572-580
• 7 Busso T, Candau R, Lacour J R. Fatigue and fitness modelled from the effects of training on performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1994;  69 50-54
• 8 Busso T, Carasso C, Lacour J R. Adequacy of a systems structure in the modelling of training effects on performance.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  71 2044-2049
• 9 Candau R, Busso T, Lacour J R. Effects of training on iron status in cross-country skiers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1992;  64 497-502
• 10 Chaouloff F. Effects of acute physical exercise on central serotonergic systems.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 58-62
• 11 Cronbach L J. Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests.  Psychometrika. 1951;  16 297-334
• 12 Davis J M. Carbohydrates, branched-chain amino acids, and endurance: the central fatigue hypothesis.  Int J Sport Nutr. 1995;  5 S29-38
• 13 De Vries H A. Tranquilizer effects of exercise: a critical review.  Phys Sportsmed. 1981;  36 373-389
• 14 Eichner E R. Overtraining: Consequences and prevention.  J Sports Sci. 1995;  13 S41-48
• 15 Fitz-Clarke J R, Morton R H, Banister E W. Optimizing athletic performance by influence curves.  J Appl Physiol. 1991;  71 1151-1158
• 16 Fry R W, Grove J R, Morton A R, Zeroni P M, Gaudieri S, Keast D. Psychological and immunological correlates of acute overtraining.  Br J Sports Med. 1994;  28 241-246
• 17 Hackney A C, Perlman S N, Nowacki J M. Psychological profiles of overtrained and stale athletes: a review.  J Appl Sport Psychol. 1990;  2 2-33
• 18 Hanin Y L. A cognitive model of anxiety in sports. Straub WF Sport Psychology: An Analysis of Athletic Behavior. Ithaca, NY; Movement Publications 1980: 236-249
• 19 Hooper S L, MacKinnon L T, Howard A, Gordon R D, Bachmann A W. Markers for monitoring overtraining and recovery.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 106-112
• 20 Jokela M, Hanin Y L. Does the individual zones of optimal functioning model discriminate between successful and less successful athletes? A meta-analysis.  J Sports Sci. 1999;  17 873-887
• 21 Kellmann M. Psychological assessment of underrecovery. Kellmann M Enhancing Recovery: Preventing Underperformance in Athletes. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 2002: 37-55
• 22 Landers D. Performance, stress, and health: overall reaction.  Quest. 1994;  46 123-135
• 23 Martens R, Vealey R S, Burton D. Competitive Anxiety in Sport. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1990: 117-190
• 24 Meyers A W, Whelan J P. A systemic model for understanding psychosocial influences in overtraining. Kreider RB, Fry AC, O'Toole ML Overtraining in Sport. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics 1998: 335-369
• 25 Millet G P, Candau R B, Barbier B, Busso T, Rouillon J D, Chatard J C. Modelling the transfers of training effects on performance in elite triathletes.  Int J Sports Med. 2002;  23 55-63
• 26 Morton R H, Fitz-Clarke J R, Banister E W. Modeling human performance in running.  J Appl Physiol. 1990;  69 1171-1177
• 27 Mujika I, Busso T, Lacoste L, Barale F, Geyssant A, Chatard J C. Modeled responses to training and taper in competitive swimmers.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1996;  28 251-258
• 28 Murphy S M, Fleck S J. Psychological and performance concomitants of increased volume training in elite athletes.  J Appl Sports Psychol. 1990;  2 34-50
• 29 Petruzzello S J, Landers D M, Hatfield B D, Kubitz K A, Salazar W. A meta-analysis on the anxiety-reducing effects of acute and chronic exercise. Outcomes and mechanisms.  Sports Med. 1991;  11 143-182
• 30 Petruzzello S J, Landers D M. State anxiety reduction and exercise: does hemispheric activation reflect such changes?.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1994;  26 1028-1035
• 31 Raglin J S, Morgan W P. Development of a scale for use in monitoring training-induced distress in athletes.  Int J Sports Med. 1994;  15 84-88
• 32 Raglin J S. Anxiety and sport performance.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1992;  20 243-274
• 33 Sinclair D A, Vealey R S. Effects of coaches' expectations and feedback on the self perception of athletes.  J Sport Behav. 1992;  11 77-91
• 34 Spielberger C D, Gorsuch R L, Lushene R E. Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Palo Alto, CA; Consulting Psychologists Press 1970
• 35 Taylor A H. Physical activity, anxiety and stress. Biddle SJH, Fox KR, Boutcher SH Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being. London; Routledge 2000: 10-45