RELATIONSHIP OF SWIMMING DISTANCE, EXPECTANCY, AND PERFORMANCE TO MOOD STATES OF COMPETITIVE ATHLETES

This study focused on the relationship between normal and abbreviated training sessions for young competitive swimmers and acute changes in mood. Several potential moderators of the relationship between exercis e and mead also were examined. 25 girls and 23 boys, swimmers between the ages of 12 and 25 years, completed a shortened version of the Prof ile of Mood States before and after normal-distance and taper practice s. An hypothesized interaction between distance training and acute cha nges in scores on Total Mood Disturbance was significant. During norma l-distance practices, scores on Mood Disturbance increased from pre- t o postpractice. Analyses of the individual subscales indicated that sw immers' scores increased for Fatigue and decreased for Vigor. In abbre viated practice sessions, athlete's scores on Total Mood Disturbance s howed no change from pre- to postpractice. The specific subscales, how ever, showed positive changes for Depression, Confusion, and Tension. The mood changes related to practice distance were not influenced by t he possible moderating factors of expectancy or performance times. Thu s, even for highly trained competitive swimmers, exercising at or near maximal physical capability is associated with few positive changes i n mood scores. Shorter-distance swims that do not tax endurance are pr eferable, if mood enhancement is a goal.