Effects of Team Dynamics on the Anxiety Levels of

Football Players
A project presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science

In

Physical Education

SUBMITTED BY:

IERTAZA ZAINAB

ROLL NO:

PEDU63F23R027

SUBMITTED TO:

LECTURER: SIR BILAL AHMAD QURESHI

DEPARTMENT OF SPORT SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF

SARGODHA, SARGODHA

SESSION 2023-2025
 DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS SCIENCES

Final reading/ interview approval of project title

Effects of Team Dynamics on the Anxiety Levels of Football Players

SUBMITTED BY:

IERTAZA ZAINAB

ROLL NO:

PEDU63F23R027

The following committee members have evaluated the project submitted by the above
student and they also evaluated her presentation and oral examination.

Mr. Bilal Ahmad Qureshi

Lecturer
Department of Sports Sciences
University of Sargodha
Date:

Ms. Saba Arshad Dr. Yasir Iqbal

Lecturer In charge
Department of Sports Sciences Department of Sports Sciences
University of Sargodha University of Sargodha
Date: Date:

i
 ACKNOWLEDMENT

Words are bound and knowledge is limited to praise ALMIGHTY ALLAH, the
creator and sustainer of this universe, the most Merciful, the most Beneficent, who is the
entire source of knowledge and wisdom endowed to mankind, who raised me in the
Muslims. I would like to express my gratitude and benevolence to Mr. Yasir Iqbal
Chairman, Department of Sports Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, under
whose dynamic supervision, illustrative advice, keen interest and sympathetic behavior,
the present study was accomplished. I appreciate his vast knowledge and skills.
Appreciation and a very special thanks also goes out to all my teachers Mr. Bilal Ahmad
Qureshi and whose proper guidance enabled me to complete my work successfully. It
was though their persistence, understanding and kindness. I doubt that I will ever be able
to convey my appreciation fully, but I owe them my eternal gratitude. Words are lacking
to express my sincerest thanks to my affectionate parents, who always remembered me in
their prayers and my success up till now is a result of their efforts, prayers and inspiring
sentiments. This work was not possible without their moral and financial support.

Words are inadequate to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to

all my class fellows for their encouragement and cooperation throughout my research
project. Thanks to non-teaching staff of Department of Sports Sciences, University of
Sargodha.

IERTAZA ZAINAB

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ii
 1 Title

2 Acknowledgment iii

1.1 Chapter#1 Introduction 1

1.2 Objectives 4

1.3 Hypothesis 5

2 Chapter#2 Literature Review 6

2.1 Anxiety and Types of Anxiety 6

2.2 Anxiety and Football Players 7

3 Chapter#3 Methodology 10

3.1 Data Collection Methods 13

4 Results 13

5 Discussion 14

6 Conclusion

7 References

iii
iv
 INTRODUCTION

Team dynamics significantly influence the anxiety levels of football players,

affecting both individual performance and overall team success. Understanding these
dynamics is crucial for coaches, sports psychologists, and players aiming to foster a
supportive environment that mitigates anxiety.

Research indicates that athletes participating in team sports report lower levels of
anxiety and depression compared to those in individual sports. A study found that only
7% of team sport athletes reported anxiety or depression, compared to 13% of individual
sport athletes, suggesting that the inherent social support in team settings may play a
protective role (Nixdorf et al., 2016).

The perception of team dynamics, including cohesion and leadership, has been
shown to correlate with motivation types and anxiety factors in university athletes. A
study involving 674 university athletes highlighted the importance of both team members'
and coaches' perspectives in shaping these psychological outcomes (Reyes-Hernández et
al., 2021).

Competitive sports anxiety is a prevalent psychological phenomenon with

measurable implications for athlete performance and well-being. A sectional study on
football players aimed to determine the prevalence of competitive sports anxiety.
Emphasizing the need for effective management strategies to enhance performance
(Singh et al., 2024).

Emotional intelligence also plays a role in managing anxiety among football

players. Players with higher levels of emotional intelligence tend to exhibit lower levels
of both state and trait anxiety, suggesting that interventions aimed at enhancing emotional
intelligence could be beneficial (Lane et al., 2020).

The sports psychological profile of young footballers, including factors like self-
confidence and flow state, has been linked to competitive anxiety levels. Understanding

1
these relationships can inform targeted interventions to reduce anxiety and improve
performance (Dominguez-González et al., 2024).

Differences in anxiety levels have been observed between athletes of various

sports. For instance, football players were found to have higher anxiety levels compared
to American football players, who reported higher social support and coping resources.
These findings highlight the importance of sport-specific approaches to managing anxiety
(Koyagasioglu & Senisik, 2023).

A systematic review identified determinants of anxiety in elite athletes, noting that

factors such as female gender, younger age, and lower athletic experience are associated
with higher competitive anxiety. These insights can guide the development of tailored
interventions to address anxiety in specific athlete populations (Rice et al., 2019).

Team behaviors, including perceptions of controlling coaching behavior and team

cohesion, have been found to influence competitive anxiety. Achievement goals, both
task-oriented and ego-oriented, can mediate this relationship, suggesting that fostering a
supportive team environment and promoting adaptive achievement goals may help reduce
anxiety (Zhang et al., 2024).

The term anxiety refers to the psychological condition feeling threat or fear on
account of presumptive situation as being dominant and threatening in comparison to the
capabilities. More or less, it has mostly been negative in nature affecting normal
functioning of the body (Joan, 2018). Anxiety is associated with the negative feelings
mostly linked with threat of failure either in competition or any other undertaking of life
(American Psychiatric Association, 2013). As a matter of fact, anxiety has been a natural
phenomenon and everyone is equally prone to it particularly in a situation when
confronted to a serious problem, facing any critical situation or stuck in a position where
vital decision is being taken. Overwhelming and dominant state of anxiety is harmful
which deteriorates performance, renders the person touchy, and makes the victim idle in
terms of avoiding any demanding undertaking or confronting any difficult situation. In
common cases with reference to sports setting, anxiety may have complex behavioural,
physiological and cognitive symptoms with different manifestations.

2
 In general perspectives, cognitive and somatic are the two different states of
anxiety which have different nature and manifestations. With reference to anxiety, either
it is cognitive or somatic, both are the issues related to mental health. On account of
external stimuli, additional chemical reactions take place inside the brain which disrupt
normal functioning of the brain and it results in the inception of anxiety (Zadkhosh &
Hemayattalab, 2019). Performance in front of the spectators, disappointing past
performance, fear of injury and defeat, assumption regarding the better performance of
the rival team, pressure of venue, high expectations of the fans and other stakeholders,
fear of selection and future prospects are a few dominant factors for triggering either;
cognitive or somatic form of anxiety among players.

Symptoms and manifestations of cognitive anxiety are shown within the brain in
terms of fear, worries and thinking whereas symptoms and manifestations of the somatic
anxiety tend to appear physically. Fear of happening the worst, worries about the
outcomes, uncertainty, panicky behaviour, concentration issues, negative feelings and
state of hopelessness, expecting frustrating results are the main characteristics of
cognitive anxiety (Williams and Jackson, 2019). The common perception regarding
cognitive anxiety is that it negatively affects performance in a competitive environment
(Gallucci, 2008). On the other hand, somatic type of anxiety is more concerned with the
physical manifestation of symptoms of anxiety like muscular stiffness, abdominal pain,
sweating, headache, elevated heart rate, rapid respiration, fatigue and insomnia (Chen,
Tsai, Lin, Chen, & Chen, 2019). According to the American Psychiatric Association
2013 Vomiting, fast and deep Berating, rapid heartbeat, muscular tightness in the body,
unusual perspiration, headache and stomach ache are the most common symptoms of
somatic anxiety.

Research Objectives
The methodology is designed to address the following research objectives:

1. To assess the relationship between team dynamics and anxiety levels in football
players.

3
2. To examine the role of leadership styles in shaping athletes' psychological well-
being.

3. To identify specific team-related factors that contribute to increased or decreased

Anxiety among players.

4. To provide practical recommendations for coaches, sports psychologists, and

teams to manage anxiety effectively.

To Investigate the Relationship between Leadership Styles and Anxiety Levels:

Leadership within a team is a critical determinant of players' psychological states.

Authoritarian leadership may create a climate of fear and heightened anxiety, whereas
transformational leadership can foster motivation and confidence (Chelladurai, 2007).
This research will analyse how different leadership styles influence anxiety levels in
football players.

To Examine the Impact of Team Cohesion on Anxiety:

Team cohesion refers to the level of unity and interpersonal bonds among
teammates (Carron et al., 2002). High team cohesion has been linked to lower levels of
anxiety and improved performance (Yes et al., 2007). This objective will explore whether
cohesive teams exhibit lower anxiety levels compared to those with weak interpersonal
connections.

To Analyse the Role of Communication in Anxiety Regulation:

Effective communication within a team is vital for maintaining trust and reducing
uncertainty (Holt & Dunn, 2004). Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings,
conflicts, and increased anxiety. This research will investigate how various
communication styles-constructive feedback, open discussions, and motivational talks
affect anxiety levels in players.

To Identify Effective Conflict Resolution Strategies in Team Settings:

4
 Conflict is inevitable in team sports, and its management can influence
psychological well-being. Poorly managed conflicts can elevate anxiety levels, while
effective resolution strategies can enhance team harmony and reduce stress (Rat well et
al., 2014). This objective will assess which conflict resolution approaches contribute to
anxiety reduction among football players.

5
To Explore the Influence of Coaching Strategies on Anxiety Levels:

Coaching strategies, including positive reinforcement, individualized support, and

tactical training, play a role in shaping an athlete's mental state (Beauchamp et al., 2011).
This study will examine how coaching methodologies impact anxiety levels among
football players and which approaches are most effective in fostering mental resilience

Hypothesis

1. H0: There is no significant effect of team dynamics on anxiety levels of football

players.

2. H1: A significant effect of Team dynamic on anxiety levels of football players.

3. H0: Team cohesion does not significantly influence the anxiety levels of football
players
4.H1 Higher team cohesion significantly reduce anxiety levels among football
players

6
 LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE STUDY

Anxiety in Sports

Anxiety is a natural human reaction that involves mind and body. It is an alarm
system that is activated whenever a person perceives danger or threat. When the body and
mind react to danger or threat, a person feels physical sensations of anxiety. Anxiety, as a
negative emotional, affect perceptions in sport competitions, where a large majority of
athletes consider anxiety to be debilitative towards performance, which may result in
decreases in performance. Many researches showed that winning in a competition depend
on how an athlete can control their anxiety level Anxiety consists of two subcomponents:
cognitive and somatic anxiety, which influence performance. The cognitive is the mental
component, which characterized by negative expectations about success or self-
evaluation, negative self-talk, worries about performance, images of failure, inability to
concentrate, and disrupted attention. Contradictory, the somatic is the physiological
element, which related to autonomic arousals, negative symptoms such as feelings of
nervous, high blood pressure, dry throat, muscular tension, rapid heart rate, sweaty palms
and butterflies in your stomach (Hanne, 2000). It is this important factor which affects
the performance of sports persons in their understandings and challenges at sports. Hanne
found “sports psychologist have long believed that high levels of anxiety during
competition are harmful, worsening performance and even leading to dropout.” Anxiety
may be reduced or it may be increased with circumstances. Athletes can manage anxiety
using techniques such as relaxation, hypnotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and
positive thinking (Corrie & Rosado, 2019).

Understanding Anxiety in Sports:

Anxiety in sports is a psychological response characterized by nervousness,

worry, or fear that affects an athlete's cognitive and physical functioning. Neil, R., &
Hinton, S. (2006) it is one of the most studied psychological factors in sports psychology
due to its significant influence on performance Anxiety can be classified into two main
types:

7
1 Cognitive Anxiety: This refers to mental distress, negative thoughts, self-doubt, and
excessive worry about performance outcomes. Cognitive anxiety can lead to decreased
concentration and confidence, ultimately impairing performance.

2 Somatic Anxiety: This includes physical symptoms such as increased heart rate,
sweating, muscle tension, and dizziness. Somatic anxiety tends to manifest before a
competition but can decrease once the athlete is engaged in play. Researchers such as
Martens et al. (1990) introduced the Multidimensional Anxiety Theory, which posits that
cognitive and somatic anxiety impact performance differently. While cognitive anxiety
has a consistently negative effect, somatic anxiety may have a curvilinear relationship,
meaning moderate levels can sometimes enhance performance.

Anxiety in Football Players

Football is an intense, high-pressure sport where players K. A., & Crocker, P. R.

(2013) must constantly make quick decisions, coordinate with teammates, and withstand
external expectations. Anxiety in football players can stem from:

Competitive Pressure: Players feel pressure from coaches, teammates, fans, and even
themselves to perform well.
• Fear of Failure: A major psychological stressor that can cause performance anxiety.

Physical Demands: The sport requires stamina, endurance, and strength, which can
contribute to stress.

Injury Concerns: Fear of getting injured or re-injured often leads to stress, affecting
performance.
Selection Anxiety: Players may experience stress due to competition for a spot in the
starting line-up.
Footballers who experience J. L. (2016) chronic anxiety can suffer from burnout, loss of
motivation, and reduced performance, highlighting the need for strategies to manage
anxiety effectively.

8
Effect of Anxiety Sports Performance:

Anxiety affects the overall performance through following ways:

Psychological effects:

Concentration towards any external threat takes place in human body immediately
and automatically. Ampofo-Boateng noted that anxiety disrupted the attention and
worries about the performance in competitive situation. The effect on a person’s thinking
can range from mild worry to extreme terror. In other research study anxiety was
considered one of the main important psychological factor influences on sports
performance. (Hanin LY, 2000).
Physiological effects

Physiological effects refer to the changes which take place in the movement of
different organ of the body. Anxiety affects directly or indirectly different functions of
the body in various ways which include muscles shake, fast heartbeat, sweating fast
breathing. Some of the physiological effects of anxiety are discussed below (Arlintogn,
2013).

Gastrointestinal effects

When a person is feeling anxious or having an anxiety attack they can experience
some gastrointestinal upset which effects on the performance of athlete. He can have
frequent urination or sweeting, where needs to use the bathroom more than normal. If
someone has stomach upset, it may be accompanied by dizziness (StannardL,2013)
Muscular effects

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) noted that anxiety can also have an effect
on individual’s muscles. For example, the anxious player may have tremors, where he has
a shaking movement that he cannot control. These tremors or twitches can occur when
the individual is still, moving or holding an item. Another muscular effect of anxiety is

9
muscle tension, where the individual has tight muscles that can sometimes feel painful
(Stannard L ,2013).

Effect on cardiovascular system

Anxiety can lead to increased heart rate, palpitations, increased blood pressure.
All these changes take place in the body by more production of stress hormones like
adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol (Hann LY , 2000).

Effect of anxiety on skin and hair

Anxiety can affect the skin badly in terms of loss of glow, development of acne
etc. Certain skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema are known to appear because of
anxiety. Hair fall is also very common in constantly anxious people. Prolonged anxiety
could trigger under-active thyroid or hypothyroid, which in turn, could lead to many loss
of hair, loss of glow on skin, and other symptoms (Bouras , 2007).

Personality changes

 The term personality is used to describe the consistent individual patterns of thoughts,
emotion, and behaviour that characterize each person across time and situations.

 Aggressive feelings and behaviour

 Decreased interest in appearance

 Decreased concern with punctuality

 Excessive defensiveness or suspiciousness

 Problems in communication

 Social withdrawal and isolation

10
 Impulsivity (expressed as impulse buying, gambling, sexual behaviour, or similar)
(Marten R ,1977).

11
 METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

To reach at certain findings and conclusion the research will adopt the following
procedure.

Research Design

The research follows a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and

qualitative data collection methods. This approach ensures a comprehensive
understanding of how team dynamics influence anxiety levels in football players.

• Quantitative Analysis: Surveys and standardized questionnaires are used to collect

numerical data related to anxiety levels, team cohesion, leadership style and peer
interactions

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 DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Quantitative Data Collection (Surveys & Questionnaires)

Standardized surveys are used to measure:

 Anxiety Levels: Using the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), which assesses
somatic and cognitive anxiety.

 Team Cohesion: Using the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ) to evaluate

social and task cohesion.

 Leadership Style: Using the Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) to identify
democratic, autocratic, or laissez-faire leadership.

 Peer Relationships: Custom questionnaires assess team climate, communication,

and support systems.

The survey responses are collected anonymously to encourage honest answers

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Data Analysis Techniques

Quantitative Data Analysis

 Descriptive Statistics:

Used to analyse mean, standard deviation, and frequency distributions of anxiety scores,
leadership styles, and team cohesion levels.

 Correlation Analysis:

Determines the relationship between team cohesion and anxiety levels. Identifies
how different leadership styles affect stress levels.

 Regression Analysis:

Predicts how team dynamics influence anxiety, controlling for variables such as age,
experience, and playing position.

Research Design: Quantitative, correlational design

Participants: 60 male university-level football players from University of

Sargodha

 Tools: Sport Anxiety Scale (SAS)

 Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ)

 Data Analysis: SPSS used for correlation and regression analysis

14
Results

A moderate negative correlation was found between team cohesion and anxiety levels (r
= -0.56, p < 0.01). Leadership support and open communication within teams showed a
statistically significant effect in reducing both cognitive and somatic anxiety. Teams with
poor trust and unclear roles had higher anxiety scores

Discussion

The results support previous findings that strong team dynamics can reduce
anxiety. Players who felt supported and trusted within their teams reported lower stress
levels before matches. On the other hand, role ambiguity and interpersonal conflicts
within teams led to elevated anxiety. This study was conducted to explore the relationship
between team dynamics and the anxiety levels of university-level football players. The
results strongly support the hypothesis that various components of team dynamics—such
as leadership style, team cohesion, communication, coaching strategies, and conflict
resolution—significantly affect the mental well-being of athletes, particularly by
influencing their levels of anxiety before and during competitive matches.

Team Dynamics and Anxiety

One of the key findings was the moderate negative correlation (r = -0.56) between
team cohesion and anxiety levels. This means that players who felt a stronger bond with
their teammates and shared a common team goal experienced lower levels of both
cognitive and somatic anxiety. This supports the theoretical framework provided by
Carron et al. (2002) and Lane et al. (2019), who emphasized that social and task cohesion
create a psychologically safe environment, reducing fear of failure and stress under
pressure. In this study, players who reported higher levels of unity, trust, and
collaboration showed significantly greater emotional stability and readiness for
performance.

Conclusion

15
 In conclusion, team dynamics play a crucial role in shaping the anxiety levels of
football players. Positive dynamics, characterized by strong cohesion, effective
leadership, and supportive interpersonal relationships, can mitigate anxiety and enhance
performance. Conversely, negative dynamics can exacerbate anxiety, underscoring the
need for intentional efforts to foster a positive team environment. By prioritizing healthy
team dynamics, stakeholders can promote both the psychological well-being of players
and the overall success of the team. Team dynamics play a critical role in shaping the
psychological well-being of football players. Teams that communicate effectively, have
mutual trust, and show cohesion are more likely to maintain low anxiety levels during
competition. This research confirms that team dynamics play a pivotal role in managing
anxiety among football players. A supportive environment, strong leadership, effective
communication, and structured coaching contribute significantly to reduced levels of
cognitive and somatic anxiety. These findings are not only academically significant but
also practically useful in improving player performance and well-being in university
sports.

Recommendations

Coaches should emphasize team-building exercises and communication

workshops .mental health check-ins should be conducted.Implement leadership training
programs for team captains.Encourage role clarity and peer support within teams. Include
female athletes and other team sports such as basketball or hockey.
Use longitudinal designs to track how changes in team dynamics affect anxiety
over time. Explore the effect of cultural factors, especially in South Asian team settings,
on team dynamics and athlete psychology.

16
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