Norwegian Junior Football Players – Player’S Perception Of Stress According To Playing Time

Abstract This study’s purpose was to investigate how junior football players representing a professional club experienced stressors according to there given playing time. Participants (N43) represented 3 football clubs (mean 17.4 yrs). The results showed that the players playing all matches reported a lower level of stress related to performance and future stress compared to the players playing few matches. Furthermore, evaluation and performance stress was reported higher among player given few matches compared to players playing most matches. Even so, the present study found that Norwegian junior players have a low level of stress. Based on this fact, our results suggest that coaches should focus on the players playing few matches, since they reported a higher level of stress on three dimensions, potentially impairing their development as football players.