The Comparison of the Intensity of Pre-Competition Perceived Emotion in Athletes with Type A and B Behavior Patterns

The aim of this study was to compare the intensity of pre-competition emotion in athletes with type A and B behavior patterns. Out of 08 wrestlers participating in Iranian national championships (2005), 32 wrestlers were selected as subjects by global Bortner scale. Then, 6 subjects with high scores (mean 6.45±0.3) formed Type A athletes group and 6 with low scores (mean 3.69 ± 0.47) were considered as Type B athletes group. Hanin's Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model was used to assess the intensity of emotions athletes feel in their best / worst performance. Descriptive data showed that in both groups best performance was associated with a higher level (close to very much) of positive and effective emotion intensity (P+) as well as a lower level (close to little to moderate) of negative and effective emotion intensity (N+). Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference between best and worst performances of Type A group when there was a comparison between the intensity of negative and effective emotion and negative and harmful emotion (P≤0.0). In Type B group, there was a significant difference in athlete's best performance when positive and effective emotion and harmful emotion (P≤0.0). Mann-Whitney U test revealed a significant difference between Type A and B athletes in perceived negative (effective – harmful) emotions in their best / worst performances (P=0.0). This study showed that Type A athletes were more sensitive (i.e. they experienced higher intensities) to the negative effective and negative harmful (N±) emotions in their best/ worst performances when compared with Type B athletes.