The Psychophysiological State of Athletes with Different Levels of Aggression

Abstract

Purpose. Study of the link between psychophysiological state and levels of aggression in elite wrestlers. Methods. 27 elite wrestlers aged between 18 and 30, all members of the Ukraine National Greco-Roman Wrestling Team were examined. The scale of aggression by Buss & Darkee [1957] was used. The following parameters were estimated: subjective comfort / discomfort and balance of process of excitation / inhibition. Results. The athletes were separated into two groups by level of aggression: group 1 with low levels of aggression (15 wrestlers); and group 2 with high levels of aggression (12 wrestlers). The first group is characterized by low significant levels of physical and verbal aggression compared to the second group (p<0,01). The results of subjective psychical state assessment indicate the prevalence of discomfort in athletes in group 2 compared to the first group (p<0,05). The study of the balance of nervous processes revealed the presence of excitation of the nervous system in group 2 athletes with high levels of aggression. Conclusions. Aggression is a non optimal emotion which influences an increase in subjective psychical discomfort and processes excitation of the nervous system in elite athletes.