title: Home Versus Away Competition: Effect on Psychophysiological Variables in Elite Rugby Union.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of game venue and starting status on precompetitive psychophysiological measures in elite rugby union. Saliva samples were taken from players (starting XV, n = 15, and nonstarters, n = 9) on a control day and 90 min before 4 games played consecutively at home and away venues against local rivals and league leaders. Precompetition psychological states were assessed using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2. The squad recorded 2 wins (home) and 2 losses (away) over the study period. Calculated effect sizes (ESs) showed higher pregame cortisol- (C) and testosterone- (T) difference values before all games than on a baseline control day (ES 0.7-1.5). Similar findings were observed for cognitive and somatic anxiety. Small between-venues C differences were observed in starting XV players (ES 0.2-0.25). Conversely, lower home T- (ES 0.95) and higher away C- (ES 0.6) difference values were observed in nonstarters. Lower T-difference values were apparent in nonstarters (vs starting XV) before home games, providing evidence of a between-groups effect (ES 0.92). Findings show an anticipatory rise in psychophysiological variables before competition. Knowledge of starting status appears a moderating factor in the magnitude of player endocrine response between home and away games.
authors.affiliation: Inst of Sport Exercise and Health, University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cunniffe
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Julien S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardinale
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005538:Football / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone