Emotional pre–game states of highly skilled table–tennis players

The scientific problem of the study refers to the fact that there are no clear answers to the question what are the pre–game emotional states of male and female table–tennis and how differ the emotional pre–game states of table–tennis players who take part in different championships. The object of study – emotional pre–game states of highly skilled table–tennis players. The aim of the study is to determine the emotional pre–game states of highly skilled table–tennis players. Objectives of the study: 1. To determine and compare emotional pre–game states according to sex. 2. To determine and compare the emotional pre–game states of table–tennis players participating in Lithuanian team championship and playing in Lithuanian first league. The hypothesis states that: Female table–tennis players experience negative emotional pre–game states of higher intensity than male table–tennis players. The emotional pre–game states of table–tennis players participating in Lithuanian team championship and playing in Lithuanian first league are similar. Conclusions. The study revealed what are the levels of emotional pre–game states of male and female table–tennis players. Before the game table–tennis players (both male and female) experienced a high level of well–being, activity and mood that did not differ significantly (p>0,05). In the pre–game period both male and female players experienced a low level of somatic concern, average level of situational and cognitive concern, the average or increased personality level of concern, and average or high level of self–confidence. A higher level of cognitive and personality concern was characteristic to female players (p0,05). A high level of well–being, activity and mood of table–tennis players participating in Lithuanian team championship and playing in Lithuanian first league was dominating. The players were not able to control their emotions, and their relation to their emotions was weak or average. It was determined that situational and personality concern, cognitive and somatic concern and self–confidence of table–tennis players participating in Lithuanian team championship and playing in Lithuanian first league did not differ significantly (p>0,05)