Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the use of recovery techniques and competitive anxiety among athletes. A total of 216 Hungarian athletes, representing both team and individual sports, participated in the study. Participants completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, along with a custom-developed questionnaire – based on existing literature and practical experience – assessing the type, frequency, and purpose of recovery technique use. While no significant correlations were found between the frequency of recovery strategy use and the components of competitive anxiety, the reasons for using certain recovery techniques significantly predicted levels of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence in some cases. Furthermore, professional athletes reported significantly higher usage rates of recovery techniques compared to their recreational counterparts. The study also identified the five most and least commonly used recovery methods. Results showed that female athletes reported significantly higher levels of cognitive and somatic anxiety, as well as lower self-confidence, than male athletes. These findings underscore the importance of individualized recovery planning and suggest that the purpose and method of recovery may influence athletes’ levels of anxiety. For coaches and sport psychologists, integrating personalized recovery strategies into mental skills training may offer meaningful benefits. It is also worth noting that, to our knowledge, this is the first study to jointly examine these two constructs in this manner. Therefore, further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the interplay between recovery practices and competitive anxiety.