INFLUENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS ON FOOTBALL INJURIES

A wide body of research demonstrates that injury may have important psychological implications for competitive athletes including disruptions in mood state, a loss of positive social identity and uncertainties regarding the prospects of a return to pre-injury competitive levels. However, there is only limited knowledge about the influence of psychological factors on football injuries. The aim of this study was to examine how much an injury-prone personality profile and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can influence the risk of injury in adult football players (Petrie TA and Perna F., 2004). A self-administered questionnaire inquired about the anxiety disorders as well as personality traits. METHOD: a population of 100 football players was divided into 3 different age groups : 52 players aged 18-25 yrs, 32 players aged 26-35 yrs, 16 players aged 36-45 yrs. The method used for data gathering was based on: an epidemiological questionnaire, the Big Five Questionnaire (Caprara, et al, 1993) and the Stai -Trait Anxiety Inventory with subscales Y-1 and Y-2 (Spielberger, et al, 1968). The participants were asked to rate questions using these questionnaires-specific scales. Factor analysis of the data was performed on the questionnaires data and the matrixes of correlation were tested with Principal Components (Oblimin Rotation) using SPSS v 13.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). Factor analysis simplified the variables, in order to have a limited numbers of factors, and the most significantes ones were interpreted. The Big Five broad factors (dimensions) of personality traits are: Extraversion -Agreeableness -Conscientiousness – Neuroticism-Openness to Experience The STAI Form Y measures anxiety in adults. It clearly differentiates between the temporary condition of “state anxiety” and the more general and long-standing quality of “trait anxiety”. RESULTS: Our football players were mainly midfielders (39) and defenders (31) Most of them are active for more