Evaluation of the effect of mental stress and anxiety on postural stability and shoot success in archers by sway analysis

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate how their performance is affected by stress in relation to anxiety in children athletes. Material and Method: It was planned to work with 22 (6 girls, 16 boys) licensed archers who were registered to the "Youth Sports Club" and obtained consent from those parents. The training hall was used to collect data. "Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3" (ASI-3) and children version of "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory" (STAI) were used to measure the general anxiety of the participants. The arithmetic part of the "Trier Social Stress Test" child version was used to create stress. The number of heart beats per minute was considered as a stress marker. Postural sway assessment was performed before and after the stress by using pedobarography device. In order to evaluate the performance, 10 arrows were shot from 18 meters to the target twice before and after stress. The heart rate was recorded with the chest-mounted sensor. "SPSS for Windows 15" program was used to statistical analysis. Results: It was observed that general anxiety was correlated with shot success; post-stress shot scores with the total score of ASI-3 (r:-0,513; p= 0,021) and social subgroup score (r: -0,634; p= 0,003), and anxiety status measured in the STAI trait part (r: -0,458; p=0,042). There was no significant increase in heart rate and postural sway with stress and there was no significant difference between pre-stress and post-stress success. Conclusion: It was shown that as the general anxiety level increased in the 11-14 age group, the success of the shot was negatively affected by the stress stimulus