A Comparison in Mood States of Distance and Sprint Swimmers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare mood states in distance and sprint trained swimmers and observe how these moods relate to performance and change throughout the swim season. Participants from the ECU swim team completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ) at baseline, mid-season, max training and taper portions of the competitive season. Meets that fell within two weeks of an administered questionnaire were used to calculate performance as a percentage of the swimmer's best in-season time. There were changes over time in the POMS total mood disturbance (TMD) scores and fatigue subscale, where team averages in TMD and fatigue peaked in mid-season and declined after the taper period to values much lower than observed at baseline. The only significant difference observed with a Time * Training Type Interaction was in feelings of fatigue. Sprint and mid-distance swimmers were more fatigued than distance swimmers at pre-season and max training. All groups had similar values at mid-season and taper. Significant changes in the dedication and enthusiasm components of Athlete Engagement (AE) were found over time. All groups experienced lower values of dedication at taper than reported at pre-season. Team averages in enthusiasm gradually decreased from baseline through max training and increased following the taper to exceed the average found at baseline. A significant difference existed in dedication in a Time * Training Type Interaction. Mid-distance and distance groups had substantial decreases in feelings of dedication from baseline to mid-season and max training. Distance swimmers maintained low feelings of dedication at taper, while mid-distance swimmers resumed values near baseline. The sprint-trained swimmers experienced a gradual decrease in feelings of dedication from baseline to taper. These results suggest there are some differences in swimmer's mood states and feelings of engagement, but further research is needed. Overall it appears that sprint and mid-distance trained swimmers experience similar feelings in POMS subscales and distance swimmers reported the least disturbances in negative subscales. Sprint and distance groups were similar in reports of engagement and overall mid-distance swimmers were the least engaged group.