State Anxiety and Low-Frequency Heart Rate Variability in High-Level Amateur Golfers While Putting under Pressure

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between psychophysiological state and clutch or choking performance during golf putting under pressure. Ten males and 13 females who were high-level competitive amateur golfers performed 25 putts under control and pressure conditions. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Y1 (STAI-Y1), heart rate variability (HRV), and putting scores were measured. Participants whose performance improved under the pressure condition compared to the control condition were defined as clutch performers and all others were defined as choking performers. Change ratios between the pressure and control conditions for each variable were calculated and compared between clutch and choking performers. There was a significant difference in the change ratio of the low frequency (LF) component of HRV such that LF HRV decreased under the pressure condition compared with the control condition only in choking performers. Thus, LF HRV may be associated with improved fine motor control, such as golf putting, under pressure circumstances.

Test–retest reliability of putting-related variables in medium-to-high handicap golf players

“…This number is slightly lower than that reported in the present study using a test–retest approach, and it should be considered that the scale of measurement of Schweizer et al is continuous and therefore more sensitive to changes than our 0–3 score scale 17 . Nevertheless, test–retest studies could increase the variability of putts since subjects’ conditions can differ from one day to another due to several factors (e.g., sleep quality) 29 , 30 . Thus, in our opinion, this protocol can be more appropriate for performing reliability recommendations for putting performance measurements than just reliability analysis within a unique experimental session.…”