It is a general assumption that training experience and mood states correlate, so that more experienced competitors are better in keeping pre-competition negative moods under control. This article addresses the issue of whether the same is assumption is valid for adolescent wrestlers. The aim of the study was to establish the correlation between training experience and pre-competition mood states in adolescent wrestlers. The sample consisted of 75 adolescent wrestlers (age 16.04±0.83) divided in two groups depending on their training experience: the less experienced wrestlers (n=33) had 2.88±1.04 years of experience and the more experienced wrestlers (n=42) had 6.86±1.60 years of wrestling training experience. All the participants completed the psychological questionnaire for mood assessment (Brunel Mood Scale - BRUMS) half an hour before the national championship. The Vigor variable (F(1.75)= 8.78; p=0.004) was the only variable in which the two groups differed. The less experienced wrestlers self-reported to have more energy, but they also connected their mood states with competition placement and body mass reduction, which clearly indicated a different structure of emotions control between these groups. The body mass reduction among the less experienced wrestlers was strongly connected to negative emotions, primarily anger (r=0.60) and depression (r=0.47). Competition placement was negatively connected to anger (r=-0.41) and positively to vigour (r=0.34). No significant correlations between the variables were established among the more experienced wrestlers. We may conclude that, although only one significant association was found (energy) in mood states, the more experienced U17 wrestlers can better control their negative pre-competition mood states than those less experienced wrestlers whose negative mood states are connected to body mass reduction and performance.
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