Sports Coach Logo Sports Coach Training Principles Fitness Components

            topics

Scoring for POMS

POMS is a standard validated psychological test formulated by McNair et al. (1971)[1]. The test requires you to indicate how you have felt about each word or information in the past week, including today. The questionnaire contains 65 words/statements that describe the feelings people have.

Each adjective in the POMS questionnaire is awarded the following score:

  • 0 - Not at all
  • 1 - A little
  • 2 - Moderately
  • 3 - Quite a Lot
  • 4 - Extremely

Except "Relaxed" and "Efficient", and they score the reverse:

  • 4 - Not at all
  • 3 - A little
  • 2 - Moderately
  • 1 - Quite a Lot
  • 0 - Extremely

Total Mood Disturbance

A Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) can be calculated by adding Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue and Confusion scores and then subtracting the Vigour score.

  • TMD = (Tension + Depression + Anger + Fatigue + Confusion) - Vigour

Scores

The total score for "Tension" is determined by adding the scores for:

  • Tense, Shaky, On Edge, Panicky, Relaxed, Uneasy, Restless, Nervous and Anxious

The total score for "Depression" is determined by adding the scores for:

  • Unhappy, Sorry for Things Done, Sad, Blue, Hopeless, Unworthy, Discouraged, Lonely, Miserable, Gloomy, Desperate, Helpless, Worthless, Terrified and Guilty

The total score for "Anger" is determined by adding the scores for:

  • Anger, Peeved, Grouchy, Spiteful, Annoyed, Resentful, Bitter, Ready to Fight, Rebellious, Deceived, Furious and Bad Tempered

The total score for "Fatigue" is determined by adding the scores for:

  • Worn Out, Listless, Fatigued, Exhausted, Sluggish, Weary and Bushed

The total score for "Confusion" is determined by adding the scores for:

  • Confused, Unable to Concentrate, Muddled, Bewildered, Efficient, Forgetful, and Uncertain About Things

The total score for "Vigour" is determined by adding the scores for:

  • Lively, Active, Energetic, Cheerful, Alert, Full of Pep, Carefree and Vigorous

Dummy Items

The following adjectives are not used in the scoring:

  • Friendly, Clear Headed, Considerate, Sympathetic, Helpful, Good Natured and Trusting

References

  1. McNAIR et al. (1971) Manual for the Profile of Mood States. San Diego, CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Service.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

  • MACKENZIE, B. (2001) Scoring for POMS [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/pomscoring.htm [Accessed 29/7/2025]

Cookies

This website uses cookies placed by third-party services that appear on our pages. Cookies are used for ads personalisation. You consent to these cookies if you continue to use this website. The site does use Google ads and Google have published information about Google’s use of information.




Top of Page Home Page© 1996-2025 BrianMac Sports Coach - brianmac.uk : All Rights Reserved : Page Last Modified - 26th June 2025