Based on the linked source; automatically prepared and checked against the original report.
Study design
Researchers examined pre-competition cortisol and psychological anticipation in 34 male wheelchair basketball athletes, averaging 35 years old. Participants supplied saliva samples 35–50 minutes before competition and completed the Revised Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and Perceived Stress Scale. The analysis used a person-centred approach rather than assessing a single overall stress score.
Three stress profiles
K-Means clustering identified three exploratory profiles, with results supported by hierarchical clustering and bootstrap stability analysis. The Low Reactor group comprised five athletes with low cortisol, anxiety and perceived stress. The High Reactor group included 20 athletes with moderate cortisol and high cognitive and physical anxiety. Nine athletes formed the Physiological Stress Reactor group, showing high cortisol and perceived stress alongside moderate anxiety.
Group differences and limits
The groups differed significantly in cortisol, cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety and perceived stress, while self-confidence did not differ. Exploratory regression found no significant prediction of Physiological Stress Reactor membership from functional classification, years of sports participation, match location or match result. The authors characterize the profiles as exploratory; larger, independent samples are needed for validation. The findings indicate that physiological and psychological stress markers may combine differently before competition, rather than forming one uniform pattern.
