INTRODUCTION:

Sports aggression has long been recognized as an important psychological factor influencing athletic performance. Aggression in sport is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that may be influenced by both individual characteristics and the specific context in which sporting activities take place (Husman and Silva, 1984; Bredemeier and Shields, 1986). While a certain degree of controlled aggression can enhance motivation, energy, and competitive spirit, uncontrolled aggression may lead to negative outcomes such as penalties, conflicts, or injuries. Therefore, understanding the nature and expression of aggression in sports is important for coaches, trainers, and sports psychologists in promoting positive athletic behavior (Gill and Williams, 2008). Games differ considerably in terms of physical contact, pace, competitive structure, and situational demands, which may influence the expression of aggression among athletes. Research has indicated that aggression can vary according to the type of sport, level of competition, and gender of the players (Coulomb-Cabagno and Rascle, 2006; Maxwell, Visek, and Moores, 2009). For example, contact sports such as Kabaddi and Handball often require assertiveness and physical engagement, whereas fast-paced team games such as Basketball and Kho-Kho demand quick decision-making and high emotional intensity. These differences in sporting demands may contribute to variations in the way aggression is expressed during competition.

Research in sports psychology suggests that aggression is not solely determined by the type of sport but is also influenced by individual traits, situational demands, competitive environment, and the social context of participation (Husman and Silva, 1984; Bredemeier and Shields, 1986). Studies comparing athletes from different sports have also demonstrated that the type of sport and level of competition can be associated with differences in aggressive behavior (Coulomb-Cabagno and Rascle, 2006; Maxwell et al., 2009). Nevertheless, comparing aggression across different games provides valuable insights into the role of game structure and competitive interaction in shaping athletes' aggressive tendencies. In the Indian context, limited studies have explored differences in aggression among female university players, particularly across traditional and modern games. The present study, therefore, aims to analyze and compare the levels of sports aggression among female players of Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, and Basketball from the University of Rajasthan. The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of psychological patterns in sports and assist coaches and physical educators in developing strategies to channel aggression constructively for improved performance and sportsmanship.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

The present study has been undertaken with the following specific objectives:

1. To assess the levels of sports aggression among university players participating in different games.

2. To compare the degree of sports aggression between players of selected team sports such as kho-kho, basketball, handball, and kabaddi.

3. To examine differences in sports aggression among players of selected contact sports including kho-kho, basketball, handball, and kabaddi.

HYPOTHESIS:

1. It is hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in sports aggression between players of team sports and individual sports.

2. It is hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in sports aggression between players of contact sports and non-contact sports.

DELIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:

The scope of the present investigation was defined and confined by the following delimitations:

1. The study was restricted to university players of the University of Rajasthan who were participants in inter-university tournaments.

2. A random sampling technique was employed for the selection of subjects.

3. The sample consisted of 60 male players, with 15 players each representing kho-kho, basketball, handball, and kabaddi.

4. The age range of the subjects was delimited to 18–28 years.

Selection of Subjects:

For the purpose of the present study, a total of 60 female university players were purposively selected as subjects, representing different games included in the investigation. The age of the participants ranged between 18 to 28 years, which is considered the prime age group for competitive performance at the university level.

Selection of Variables:

Keeping in view the feasibility and objectives of the present investigation, the Sports Aggression was identified as the independent variable and the players representing different sports disciplines (Kho-Kho, Basketball, Handball, and Kabaddi) were treated as dependent variables, since their levels of sports aggression were assessed and compared across these groups.

Criterion Measure:

To assess the level of sports aggression among the selected subjects, the Aggression Questionnaire developed by Anand Kumar Srivastava and Prem Shankar Shukla (1984) was employed. This standardized tool has been widely used in psychological and sports research and is considered reliable and valid for measuring aggression levels.

Administration of the Test:

Prior to administering the questionnaire, all participants were thoroughly briefed about the objectives of the study and the importance of providing honest responses. Clear instructions were given regarding the method of responding to the items in the questionnaire. Participants were encouraged to carefully read the directions before attempting the test. After ensuring proper understanding, the questionnaires were distributed, and responses were collected systematically for further analysis.

Scoring of the Sports Aggression Test:

The Aggression Questionnaire consists of 25 statements pertaining to different aspects of an individual’s personality related to aggression. Participants were required to mark their responses with either a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ against each statement.

· A score of 1 was assigned for each ‘Yes’ response.

· A score of 0 was assigned for each ‘No’ response.

The total score represented the overall level of sports aggression of the participant.

The test has demonstrated a reliability coefficient of 0.90 and a validity coefficient of 0.84.

Collection of Data:

The data for the present study were collected using the standardized Sports Aggression Questionnaire through Google Forms. Kho-Kho, Basketball, Handball, and Kabaddi female players selected as respondents. Prior to administration, participants were clearly oriented about the purpose and significance of the study. They were assured that their responses would remain confidential and were encouraged to respond sincerely based on their personal views.

The questionnaire consisted of items with two alternative response options (‘Yes’ or ‘No’), and participants were required to answer all items without omission. The digital mode of administration ensured convenience, accuracy in response collection, and ease of data management for further statistical analysis.

Statistical Procedure:

For the analysis of data, ANOVA was employed to examine mean differences in sports aggression among Kho-Kho, Basketball, Handball, and Kabaddi female players. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 level of confidence.

Table 1: Comparative Analysis of Mean, Standard Deviation of Sports aggression among Female kho-kho, basketball, handball and kabaddi players.

	Kho-Kho Players	kabaddi Players	Handball Players	Basketball Players
Number of values	15	15	15	15
Minimum	8.000	7.000	6.000	7.000
Maximum	18.00	20.00	18.00	20.00
Range	10.00	13.00	12.00	13.00
Mean	12.87	10.53	11.60	13.20
Std. Deviation	3.357	3.091	3.582	3.913
Std. Error of Mean	0.8667	0.7980	0.9248	1.010
F-Ratio	1.835
P-Value	0.1513

Level of significant set at 0.05.

Table-1, Table 1 shows the comparison of sports aggression among female players of Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, and Basketball. Basketball players recorded the highest mean aggression score (M = 13.20), followed by Kho-Kho (M = 12.87), Handball (M = 11.60), and Kabaddi (M = 10.53). The obtained F-ratio was 1.835 with a p-value of 0.1513, which is greater than the 0.05 level of significance. Therefore, the differences in aggression levels among the four groups were not statistically significant.

Graph-1: Graphical Presentation of mean and standard deviation of Sports aggression among Female kho-kho, basketball, handball and kabaddi players.

DISCUSSION OF THE RESULT:

The present study found that Basketball players had the highest mean sports aggression score, followed by Kho-Kho, Handball, and Kabaddi players. However, the differences among the four groups were not statistically significant (F = 1.835, p = 0.1513). This indicates that the type of sport alone may not determine the level of aggression among female university players.

The findings support the view that sports aggression is influenced by multiple factors, including individual characteristics, situational demands, and the competitive environment (Husman and Silva, 1984; Bredemeier and Shields, 1986). Previous research has also suggested that aggression may vary according to sport type, gender, and competitive level (Coulomb-Cabagno and Rascle, 2006). Therefore, the differences in mean scores observed in the present study may be related to psychological and situational factors rather than the sport itself.

Overall, the findings suggest that aggression among female athletes is a multidimensional phenomenon and cannot be explained solely by participation in a particular game.

FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:

1. Basketball players recorded the highest mean sports aggression score (M = 13.20), followed by Kho-Kho (M = 12.87), Handball (M = 11.60), and Kabaddi (M = 10.53).

2. Basketball players showed the highest variability in aggression scores (SD = 3.913), while Kabaddi players showed the lowest variability (SD = 3.091).

3. The obtained F-ratio was 1.835 with a p-value of 0.1513, indicating that the differences in sports aggression among the four groups were not statistically significant at the 0.05 level.

4. Overall, the findings indicate that although aggression levels varied across the four sports, the type of game alone did not significantly influence sports aggression among the female university players.

CONCLUSION:

It was concluded that although aggression levels varied among the four sports, the type of game did not significantly influence sports aggression among female university players. Psychological and situational factors may play a more important role in determining aggression levels.

REFERENCES:

1. Anand Kumar Srivastava, and Shukla, P. S. (1984). Aggression questionnaire. Varanasi: Rupa Psychological Centre.

2. Bredemeier, B. J., and Shields, D. L. (1986). Athletic aggression: An issue of contextual morality. Sociology of Sport Journal, 3(1): 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.3.1.15

3. Coulomb-Cabagno, G., and Rascle, O. (2006). Team sports players’ observed aggression as a function of gender, competitive level, and sport type. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 36(8), 1980–2000. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00090.x

4. Gill, D. L., and Williams, L. (2008). Psychological dynamics of sport and exercise (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

5. Husman, B., and Silva, J. M. (1984). Aggression in sport: Definitional and theoretical considerations. In J. M. Silva and R. S. Weinberg (Eds.), Psychological foundations of sport (pp. 246–260). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

6. Maxwell, J. P., Visek, A. J., and Moores, E. (2009). Anger and perceived legitimacy of aggression in male Hong Kong Chinese athletes: Effects of type of sport and level of competition. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(2): 289–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.psychsport.2008.07.010

Received on 26.03.2026 Revised on 16.06.2026

Accepted on 10.08.2026 Published on 17.08.2026

Available online from August 22, 2026

Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences. 2026; 14(3):139-142.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2679.2026.00027

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