Physical activity participation is linked with many benefits including a reduction in anxiety; it is, however, also important to explore aspects of activity that incite anxiety. One way to investigate sources of anxiety in physical activity is to use the critical incident technique (CIT). The purpose of this study was to explore anxiety-inducing events in physical activity settings and to evaluate the impact on future behavior. A total of 122 participants (M = 21.23 ± 1.77 years) completed an online survey asking when a physical activity setting incited anxiety using the CIT. Four common sources of anxiety were evident in the responses: fragile self-beliefs, social interaction and the threat of negative social evaluation, competition, and a lack of knowledge or unfamiliarity with surroundings. Tenets from achievement goal theory can help to explain the incitement of anxiety and can help shape physical activity settings to be more inclusive and welcoming for all.

参与体育活动与许多好处有关，包括减少焦虑；然而，探索引起焦虑的活动的各个方面也很重要。调查身体活动中焦虑来源的一种方法是使用关键事件技术 (CIT)。本研究的目的是探索身体活动环境中的焦虑诱发事件，并评估对未来行为的影响。共有122名参与者（M = 21.23 ± 1.77 岁）完成了一项在线调查，询问何时使用 CIT 进行体育活动设置会引发焦虑。回应中明显有四种常见的焦虑来源：脆弱的自我信念、社交互动和负面社会评价的威胁、竞争以及缺乏知识或对周围环境不熟悉。成就目标理论的原则有助于解释焦虑的煽动，并有助于塑造对所有人更具包容性和欢迎性的体育活动环境。