Ansiedade pré-competitiva em jovens atletas de nado sincronizado: uma análise à luz dos aspectos emocionais

The anxiety of athletes in the pre-competitive stage puts in evidence the emotions and behaviors that can cause positive and/or negative influence on their performance. The study aimed to identify negative and positive emotions in young synchronized swimmers and thus understand the feelings experienced in moments before a competition. The sample consisted of 19 synchronized swimmers aged between 12 and 19 years. The instruments were: Sociodemographic Identification Form and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 10.0. The results were presented in a descriptive way, using the content analysis technique. For constructing the diagrams it was used the software GoDiagram Express 2.6.2. The results showed that athletes are vulnerable to emotional factors whether positive (Personal Achievement, Environmental Tranquility and Emotional Balance) and/or negative (Worry, Anxiety, Obstacles and Discouragement/fatigue).