MOOD STATE RESPONSES TO A PRESEASON CONDITIONING PROGRAM IN MALE COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

Mood state was assessed in an attempt to determine the psychological effects of intensive physical training in a non-endurance sport. Thirteen members of a men's varsity collegiate basketball team underwent 5-weeks of an intensive training regimen consisting of weight lifting and sprint running exercises. Mood state was assessed via the 30-item POMS scale at baseline, during training at weekly intervals, and following a 2-day period of reduced training. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the training, regimen was associated with negative changes (p <.05) in each of the POMS mood factors with the exception of confusion. Following the 2-day reduction in training the mean scores of the POMS factors returned to baseline. It is concluded mood disturbances associated with intensive training are not limited to endurance spouts, but may also occur in athletes who undergo a training regimen that emphasizes anaerobic conditioning.