Sleep, Anxiety and Coping Experience of Nigeria Elite Football Referees Prior to Physical Fitness Test

This study examined the relationship between sleep, anxiety and coping experience of Nigeria elite football referees prior to physical fitness test. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. The subjects of this study are 40 active, grad e one, premier and FIFA badged referees from Nigeria. Data was collected using a questionnaire titled Sleep, Anxiety and Coping Experience prior to Fitness Test Questionnaire (SACEFTQ). The questionnaire was validated by relevant authorities and Cronbach a lpha method was used to test reliability of the instrument. Pearson product moment correlation statistical tool was used for data analysis. The finding of this study reveals that there was a significant relationship between sleep, anxiety, and coping exper ience prior to physical fitness test. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that e lite referees should be adequately sensitized and encouraged to have sufficient sleep especially as they prepare for fitness test in order to enable them co pe better before and during fitness tests. It was further recommended that s ports psychologists should be engaged to help elite referees to manage anxiety usually experienced during the period of fitness test in order to enable them cope more effectively w ith the anxiety associated with fitness tests.

Keywords: sleep, anxiety, coping experience, physical fitness test.