The relationship between psychological and physiological stress perceived by elite shooters

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to provide useful information on the improvement of performance by measured the psychological-physiological stresses experienced by elite shooters during a competition. Methods Thirty-eight elite shooters participated in this study (Male = 13, Female = 25). Psychological stress was measured and used for this study based on the stress factors found in the elite target stress study by Park(2015). The cortisol, a physiological stress hormone, was measured using saliva. Results The reliability of the psychological stress sub-factor pre-post analysis results showed no statistically significant. The concentration of cortisol measured on the day before the competition (0.1704 µg/dL) significantly increased immediately before the competition (0.3558 µg/dL). Cortisol immediately before the competition showed negative correlation (r=-.361, p=.036) with the competition score, and the regression variable of cortisol was 13%. Conclusions In this study, physiological stress had a negative effect on elite shooters performance compared to psychological stress.

Keywords

• shooting
• elite athletes
• stress, cortisol
• improving performance