Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning
Scientific Journal

The Role of Meta-Motivational Dominance in Predicting Competitive Anxiety and Salivary Cortisol in Elite Athletics: Reversal Theory Approach

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license

Authors

Peyman Honarmand 1
Rasool Hemayat talab 2
Mohammad Khabiri 3
Hassan Gharayagh zandi 4

1 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health. University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sports , Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health. University of Tehran, Tehran . Iran.

3 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health. University of Tehran, Tehran. Iran .

4 Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences in Sports , Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health. University of Tehran , Tehran. Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jsmdl.2022.232544.1240
Abstract
.
Introduction: The present study aimed to determine the role of meta-motivational dominance in predicting competitive anxiety and salivary cortisol in elite track and field athletes.
Methods: Ninety elite track and field athletes participated in this study. The Goal-Oriented Dominance Scale was used to measure and identify meta-motivational dominance, and the Persian version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) was used to assess cognitive and somatic anxiety as well as self-confidence. Additionally, salivary cortisol levels were measured using a salivary cortisol ELISA assay kit. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression analysis, and independent samples t-test.
 Results: The results indicated a significant positive correlation between meta-motivational dominance and cognitive-somatic anxiety as well as salivary cortisol levels, and a significant negative correlation with self-confidence. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed that meta-motivational dominance predicted 72% of the variance in cognitive-somatic anxiety, self-confidence, and salivary cortisol levels.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, meta-motivational dominance is associated with competitive anxiety and salivary cortisol levels. Specifically, the more goal-oriented individuals are, the higher their levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety and salivary cortisol, and the lower their self-confidence. Therefore, it is recommended that coaches pay close attention to the role and importance of meta-motivational patterns and emotional states in athletes, and provide conditions for recognizing meta-motivational dominance and negative emotions.

Keywords

Metamotivational Dominance
Competitive Anxiety
Salivary Cortisol
Elite Athletes
Reversal Theory
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Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning
Volume 17, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 5-18

  • Receive Date 02 May 2021
  • Revise Date 05 May 2025
  • Accept Date 29 August 2022

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