Relationship of Stress and Performance in Junior varsity Basketball Players

by Liz Auffert
Athletic Training
Faculty advisor: Dr. Chris Todden

Research was performed to determine the relationship of stress and performance.  The target group used was the Buena Vista Junior Varsity basketball team.  A stress survey was given to determine the level of stress each athlete was enduring.  Fine motor skills and complex skills where then tested with each athlete immediately following the survey.  A basketball free throw was used for testing the complex motor skills and a standing vertical jump for the fine skill.  The information was compiled to determine the correlation between stress and performance.  Data was collected and showed there was a negative correlation between the complex skill and the athletes stress level, also shown was a negative correlation between the fine skill tested and the athletes stress level, though this correlation was lower.