Objective The purpose of the present study is to compare the individual differences in the levels of somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption of Saudi Arabian national team with and without disabilities in competitions. The purpose of this study was to compare whether significant differences existed in the levels of somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption between individuals of the Saudi Arabian national team with and without disabilities in competitions.

Design Cross-sectional.

Setting Survey, where differences in somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption were examined between athletes in an individual or team sport. The Sport Anxiety Sale was employed to measure the subscales.

Participants Participants were 120 Saudi Arabian national team athletes with and without disabilities who participated in competitions during the 2010 competitive season. Sixty Saudi Arabian national team athletes with disabilities from four different sports (track and field, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and volleyball) were surveyed. Another 60 Saudi Arabian national team athletes without disabilities who competed in the same four sports were also surveyed. Athletes' ages ranged from 18-35 years. Furthermore, athletes varied in their level of competitive experience.

Results Results of the multivariate analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between athletes with and without disabilities or between individual and team sport participants in their levels of somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption. It was found that Saudi Arabian national team athletes with and without disabilities both have relatively the same levels of somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption.

Conclusion At this point and especially in Saudi Arabia, individuals with disabilities who participate in sports are considered athletes. They could definitely use their practices and mental skills training to improve performances and promote their enjoyable sporting experience. Therefore, in terms of the anxiety performance relationship, the psychological profile of athletes with and without disabilities seems similar.