Sánchez-Ruiz Rafael, Gil-Caselles Laura, García-Naveira Alejo, Arbinaga Félix, Ruiz-Barquín Roberto, Olmedilla-Zafra Aurelio
Department Psychology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Research Group HUMSE, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Children (Basel). 2025 Aug 20;12(8):1094. doi: 10.3390/children12081094.
Adolescence is a critical period of physical, psychological, and social development, during which athletes are particularly vulnerable to stress and injuries. Competitive anxiety has been identified as a psychological factor that may increase injury risk; however, its role among young soccer players remains underexplored.
This study aimed to analyse the association between competitive anxiety and injury vulnerability in young male soccer players aged 10 to 15 years.
A total of 322 male soccer players from youth categories (Alevin, Infantil, and Cadete) participated. Competitive anxiety was assessed using the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), and injury data were collected via a self-reported questionnaire covering the 2024-2025 season. Descriptive, comparative, and correlational analyses were conducted using non-parametric tests.
A high incidence of injuries was observed, increasing progressively with age category. In the overall sample, injuries were associated with higher levels of Somatic Anxiety, as well as with age and sporting experience, variables also linked to increased Worry and reduced Distraction. When analysed by category, no significant associations between anxiety and injury were found in Alevin players. In the Infantil group, injury incidence showed a slight increase with age and experience, but no association with anxiety was detected. Among Cadete players, injuries were positively related to Somatic Anxiety and Distraction, highlighting the influence of psychological factors at this developmental stage.
These findings underscore the relevance of competitive anxiety, particularly Worry and Distraction, as risk factors for injury in youth soccer. The implementation of preventive psychological interventions and ongoing monitoring is recommended to reduce anxiety levels and injury vulnerability, thereby promoting safer and healthier athletic development among young soccer players.
青春期是身体、心理和社会发展的关键时期，在此期间运动员特别容易受到压力和伤害。竞争性焦虑已被确定为可能增加受伤风险的心理因素；然而，其在年轻足球运动员中的作用仍未得到充分研究。
本研究旨在分析10至15岁年轻男性足球运动员的竞争性焦虑与受伤易感性之间的关联。
共有322名来自青年组（Alevin、Infantil和Cadete）的男性足球运动员参与。使用运动焦虑量表-2（SAS-2）评估竞争性焦虑，并通过涵盖2024-2025赛季的自我报告问卷收集受伤数据。使用非参数检验进行描述性、比较性和相关性分析。
观察到受伤发生率很高，且随着年龄组的增加而逐渐上升。在总体样本中，受伤与更高水平的躯体焦虑以及年龄和运动经验相关，这些变量也与担忧增加和注意力分散减少有关。按类别分析时，在Alevin组球员中未发现焦虑与受伤之间存在显著关联。在Infantil组中，受伤发生率随年龄和经验略有增加，但未发现与焦虑有关联。在Cadete组球员中，受伤与躯体焦虑和注意力分散呈正相关，突出了心理因素在这个发育阶段的影响。
这些发现强调了竞争性焦虑，特别是担忧和注意力分散，作为青少年足球受伤风险因素的相关性。建议实施预防性心理干预和持续监测，以降低焦虑水平和受伤易感性，从而促进年轻足球运动员更安全、更健康的运动发展。
