Differences in Sport Performance Anxiety Between Male and Female Competitive Bodybuilders

In the sport of bodybuilding, high pressures for perfect performances cultivate extreme levels of restriction and discipline in the domains of eating behaviors, physical training, and aesthetic presentation. These pressures potentially put competitive bodybuilders at risk for anxiety. However, research regarding performance anxiety remains limited in bodybuilding literature. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the differences in sport performance anxiety between male and female bodybuilders. METHODS: Competitive bodybuilders (N = 283; 106 females, 176 males) between the ages of 19 and 68 years old (M = 34.75, SD = 9.83) were recruited to complete an online survey that collected demographic information and measured sport performance anxiety (Sport Anxiety Scale, SAS-2). RESULTS: Female competitive bodybuilders (M = 28.81, SD = 9.25) reported higher performance anxiety scores when compared to their male counterparts (M = 24.44, SD = 7.32). Sport performance anxiety was statistically significantly higher in female competitive bodybuilders than in male competitive bodybuilders (t (183.44) = 4.143, p < .01, d = 0.54). Results further indicated statistically significant differences exists in the domains of somatic anxiety (t (184.98) = 3.76, p < .01, d = 0.49), worry (t (193.15) = 3.46, p < .01, d = 0.44), and concentration disruption (t (173.28) = 3.47, p < .01, d = 0.46). CONCLUSION: When comparing sex differences in competitive bodybuilders, females report more sport performance anxiety than males in all domains (i.e., somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption). These results suggest that differences exist in the demands related to competition for male and female bodybuilders. In order to alleviate symptoms and improve performance, future research should explore competitive bodybuilders’ anxieties and the causes for the disparity amongst male and female bodybuilders.