Chatkamon Singnoy

Background: Self-efficacy is applied to explain the role of self-confidence in improving performance outcomes. However, a model analysis examining the mediating effect of sport anxiety on sport performance under the condition of self-confidence as a mediating variable at different levels of Wushu routine (Taolu) competitions has not yet been conducted. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the model analysis of the mediating effect of sport anxiety on sport performance when self-confidence acts as a mediating variable. Methodology: Participants were 491 Chinese collegiate Wushu competition athletes (mean age = 20.7 ± 1.3 years) from Yunnan Province, China. The following tools were used for assessment: the Sport Anxiety Questionnaire, the Self-Confidence Questionnaire, and the Sport Performance Questionnaire. Results: Self-confidence was found to be a significant predictor only among Wushu routine student athletes at the provincial level (P3), consisting of 91 athletes in competitions, compared to athletes at other levels. At the provincial level, the results revealed that sport anxiety negatively predicted Wushu routine performance (β = -0.306, R2 = 0.094, p < 0.01). Self-confidence mediated the relationship between sport anxiety and Wushu routine performance, with higher self-confidence reducing the negative impact of sport anxiety on Wushu routine provincial performance (Indirect effect = -0.507, 95% CI [-1.446, -0.047]). Conclusion: Self-confidence is a mediator in the model of sport anxiety's influence on sport performance. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve athletes' self-confidence to attenuate sport anxiety and enhance sport performance in Wushu routine competitions.

Current research uses the 6-factor model, which includes motivation (enthusiasm for sport), confidence (belief in performance), concentration (focused attention), vigour (perceived vitality), tirelessness (lack of vitality), and calmness (absence of anxiety), 18-item Athletic Mental Energy Scale (AMES, Lu et al., 2018) to examine its influence on athletes’ cognition, behaviour, and emotion. However, two factors (i.e., vigour and tirelessness) in AMES are conceptually redundant and overlapping. We aimed to revise the AMES to improve its brevity. In Study 1, a 5-factor AMES (i.e., vigour, motivation, confidence, concentration, and calmness) was tested and analysed. In Study 2, we tested the gender invariance of the 5-factor AMES and examined nomological validity. In Study 3, we examined the test-retest reliability of the 5-factor AMES. Across these phases, the results showed that the 5-factor, 10-item AMES had an adequate factor structure, construct validity, reliability, and gender invariance. Future studies may utilise the 5-factor, 10-item AMES to examine its influence on athletes’ psychological and physical responses in field or laboratory settings. We further recommend that sports psychologists adopt the 5-factor, 10-item AMES.