Author(s): Lt Dr Tom Thomas and Praveen Thariyan

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted various aspects of life, including sports. This study explores the impact of the pandemic on sports confidence among college athletes, focusing on differences across gender and sports disciplines. Objective: To assess the level of sports confidence among male and female athletes and basketball players, and to evaluate how confidence varies between these groups post-COVID-19. Methods: An electronic survey was administered to 100 college athletes (50 athletes and 50 basketball players) from University of Kerala and Mahatma Gandhi University. The survey, using the Sports Confidence Inventory Questionnaire, measured nine subscales of sports confidence. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20.0, with independent t-tests applied to determine differences in sports confidence levels between genders and sports disciplines. Results: The analysis revealed that overall sports confidence did not significantly differ between male and female athletes across most subscales (p> 0.05). However, there were notable differences between athletes and basketball players. Basketball players exhibited higher confidence in several subscales, including Mastery, Physical and Mental Preparation, and Coach’s Leadership. Environmental Comfort and Situational Favorability were also higher among basketball players. Conclusion: The study highlights the resilience and adaptability of college athletes during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of sport-specific factors in shaping sports confidence. These insights can aid coaches and educators in developing targeted interventions to support athlete confidence in future crises.

DOI: 10.33545/27077012.2024.v5.i1c.291

Pages: 156-159 | Views: 79 | Downloads: 36

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