Introduction: Effective performance in elite sport demands the precise management of psychological factors, yet the distinct contributions of cognitive and somatic anxiety remain incompletely understood. This study investigated how these anxiety dimensions predict objective performance and whether their effects are moderated by gender and sport typology. Methods: A sample of 196 competitive athletes (52% male; 53% individual sports) completed validated multidimensional anxiety measures, and standardized competition scores served as objective performance indicators. Results: Cognitive anxiety emerged as a robust negative predictor, accounting for 18% of variance, with stronger detrimental effects observed among female athletes and those competing individually. In contrast, somatic anxiety demonstrated an inverted-U association, suggesting that moderate physiological arousal facilitates performance while excessive activation is counterproductive. Gender and sport type significantly moderated the cognitive anxiety–performance relationship but did not influence somatic anxiety effects. These findings support Multidimensional Anxiety Theory and the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning model, underscoring the multidimensional and context-dependent nature of competitive anxiety. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of individualized interventions integrating mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, self-talk, and biofeedback, while recognizing barriers such as limited access to psychological expertise and uneven technological resources. Future research should employ longitudinal, ecologically valid designs, incorporate culturally diverse samples, and leverage real-time monitoring and machine learning to refine adaptive support strategies. Collectively, this study emphasizes the need for holistic, evidence-based approaches to optimize mental health and sustain performance in high-pressure sporting environments.
Chawla et al. (Wed,) studied this question.