| Summary: | Aim. To assess levels of anxiety in a large cohort of adolescents that participated in different sport types and are characterized by varying performance levels. Subject and methods. Cross-sectional study based on a large cohort. Self-reported questionnaires which were applied to 10,248 adolescents aged 11-19 years and recruited from secondary education centers, sport clubs, national federations, and sports technification centers those integrated disciplines included in the Summer Olympic Games program. Results. Participation in competitive sports and high physical activity levels were both associated with low anxiety levels. Further, national and international athletes had lower anxiety levels than regional athletes independently of the type of sport. Adolescents characterized by the lowest physical activity levels reported highest anxiety levels. Conclusion. Increased physical activity levels and specifically participation in competitive sports is related to lower anxiety levels regardless of the sport type. Adolescents who compete at a national and international level reported low anxiety level, meanwhile adolescents who don`t fulfil physical activity recommendations reported the highest anxiety levels.
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