Abstract

Abstract
The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2) has been a widely used instrument for the assessment of anxiety in sport but within limited cultural contexts. Conceptual issues as well as concerns about the psychometric properties of the measure have resulted in questions surrounding its use. The purposes of the present study were (a) to examine the factorial validity and reliability of the CSAI-2, including the intensity, direction, and frequency dimensions with a Brazilian sample; (b) to investigate the inter-scale correlations among the three measured dimensions and between the original and the reduced scales; and (c) to examine the properties of the CSAI-2 within a novel cultural context. A sample of 334 athletes (245 male, 89 female) completed the CSAI-2 questionnaire 1hr prior to competition. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted that contrasted the proposed model with competing models. These results provided support for a reduced measurement model (CSAI-2R; 16 items) that was comprised of three factors (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and self-confidence). The pattern of inter-scale associations revealed correlated, but not identical, factors. Correlations between the original and the reduced scales were high. In conclusion, these results provide evidence that the CSAI-2R (16 items) has good psychometric properties for all response dimensions within a Brazilian cultural context and is a valid competitive state anxiety and self-confidence measure when used immediately prior to competition.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare by sex, physical activity, and academic qualifications the symptomatology of depression among elders. The sample consisted of 140 elderly, 70 elements were male and 70 female, aged over 62 years. The instruments used to assess the dependent variables were the Scale of Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity, the Beck Depressive Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Significant gender effects were obtained demonstrating that those who practiced physical activity had lower rates of depression and anxiety. Comparisons showed that women had higher values than men. At the level of educational attainment it was found that individuals with lower level of education tended to have higher values for both depression and anxiety. Finally, a significant correlation was identified between physical activity, depression and anxiety, and for trait anxiety, however this correlation was not statistically significant. It was concluded that physical activity is associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety.

Abstract
The present study aims: i) to translate and adapt the TOPS2 to the Brazilian context (semantic equivalence/conceptual and content validity) ii) to examine its psychometric properties (fidelity and factorial validity), and iii) to examine the effects of context, gender, type of sport, competitive level and age in the use of psychological skills. The sample consisted of 540 subjects (423 male and 117 female). The fidelity of the factors varied between 0.50 and 0.82. The results indicated the AFC a reduced version (39 items) of TOPS2, accepting covariances between residual errors of some items of the instrument, as the best structural representations of the data analyzed. Multivariate analysis revealed that the effects of context, gender, type of sport, competitive level and age were significant in the use of psychological skills. These results suggest that the TOPS2 presents psychometric properties for use in Brazilian athletes, although further studies are recommended.