Evaluating The Impact Of Animal-Assisted Therapy On Sports Anxiety, Athlete Burnout, And General Anxiety Among Cricket Players: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

This study explores the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on reducing sports anxiety, athlete burnout, and general anxiety among cricket players. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with 30 participants in the experimental group and 28 in the control group. The participants were assessed using the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the intervention. Results indicated that AAT significantly reduced all three psychological measures in the experimental group, while the control group exhibited minimal change. The findings highlight the potential of AAT as a valuable intervention in sports psychology for reducing stress-related symptoms in athletes and enhancing their mental well-being.