The relationship between executive functions of the brain and anxiety in adolescents aged 13 to 16 years: comparison of athletes and non-athletes
Subject Areas :
Mahtab Seyfi Targhi
1
,
Zohreh Meshkati
2
1 - Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Associate Professor of motor behavior, Dept. of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Keywords: Executive function, State and trait anxiety, Adolescent, Athlete,
Abstract :
Introduction: Exercise and physical activity can reduce the anxiety of teenagers, there is also a relationship between exercise and improving the executive functions of the brain; Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the relationship between executive functions and anxiety in athletes and non-athletes between 13 and 16 years old in Isfahan city.
Methods: The current research was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population included boys between the ages of 13 and 16 in Isfahan city in 1401. A statistical sample of 200 people (100 athletes and 100 non-athletes) were selected as available. The research tools were Spielberger's state-trait anxiety questionnaire and N-Back test. Data were analyzed by correlation test and Fisher's z test using SPSS 23 software.
Results: The results of the athletes group showed that trait anxiety had a significant relationship with the number of wrong answers and the average reaction speed in the correct answers in the n-back test (P<0.05). The relationship between state anxiety and the number of wrong answers was significant (P<0.05). The results of the non-athletes group showed that the relationship between trait anxiety and state with the number of wrong answers and with the average reaction speed in the n-back test was significant (P<0.05). The relationship between anxiety and executive functions in two groups of athletes and non-athletes was not significant (P>0.05(.
Conclusion: Considering the existence of a relationship in some components of executive functions with the anxiety of athletes and non-athletes, these results can be considered by psychologists, sports coaches and families.
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