Affective Conditions of Young Athletes Before and After Organized Training Camp

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a seven-day athletic training camp on the emotional state of young athletes. Changes in affective states were assessed using the PANAS instrument at the beginning and end of the training period. The sample included 84 athletes (25 boys and 59 girls), aged 8 to 18 years (M=11.89; SD=2.36), divided into three age groups: younger school age (10 years and younger), older school age (11–15 years), and high school age (16 years and older). All participants were members of the “Partizan” Athletic Club and with at least one year of training experience. Although descriptive indicators suggested slight changes in affective states, the combined analysis of variance (Mixed between-within subjects ANOVA) did not confirm the presence of statistically significant differences either between pre-test and post-test measures or across the age groups. The results, although statistically nonsignificant, indicate emotional stability among the athletes during the camp, likely due to their previous experience with similar programs, good organization, and social support. The findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of athletes’ emotional states, particularly among younger age groups. For future studies, it is suggested to implement an extended experimental duration, a larger participant group, and to factor in additional psychological variables.