1
|
Pocius E, Malinauskas R. Development of Mental Toughness among Basketball Sports School Students. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:314. [PMID: 38667110 PMCID: PMC11047309 DOI: 10.3390/bs14040314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of mental toughness in student athletes within sports schools is crucial for identifying strengths and improving weaknesses to optimize performance. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mental toughness development program for basketball sports school students. Sixty-two male student athletes, aged 15.83 ± 0.37 years, participated, with 30 in the experimental group and 32 in the control group. They completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48 (MTQ48) before and after the 6-week intervention program. Pearson's correlations were calculated for study variables. A repeated measures MANOVA followed by one-way ANOVA analyzed differences in mental toughness skills between groups and over time. Results showed a significant effect of the intervention program on mental toughness skills, with small and medium effect sizes. Post-program, the experimental group exhibited higher levels of various skills compared to controls, including skills related to challenge, commitment, emotional control, life control, overall control, self-confidence in interpersonal interactions, self-confidence in one's abilities, overall self-confidence, and total MTQ48. These findings underscore the utility of interventions for enhancing mental toughness among basketball sports school students, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches in such intervention programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Romualdas Malinauskas
- Department of Physical and Social Education, Lithuanian Sports University, LT-44221 Kaunas, Lithuania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vella-Fondacaro D, Romano-Smith S. The Impact of a Psychological Skills Training and Mindfulness-Based Intervention on the Mental Toughness, Competitive Anxiety, and Coping Skills of Futsal Players-A Longitudinal Convergent Mixed-Methods Design. Sports (Basel) 2023; 11:162. [PMID: 37755839 PMCID: PMC10536553 DOI: 10.3390/sports11090162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the sport's popularity, there is a paucity in futsal psychological interventional research. This study analysed the impact of a ten-session psychological skills training and mindfulness-based intervention (PSTMI) on the mental toughness, competitive anxiety, and athletic coping skills of national league futsal players (n = 13). It also analysed whether these variables were predicted by playing experience. Pre-/post-intervention questionnaires were filled in and analysed (Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire, and Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28). Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with seven athletes; quantitative and qualitative data were integrated in a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Results revealed significant medium-to-large improvements in mental toughness, cognitive anxiety, and coping skills following the PSTMI. Years of playing experience positively and significantly predicted better self-confidence and coping skills. Thematic analysis generated five themes: (1) post-intervention enhancement in athletic performance and well-being; (2) the non-athletic commitments of futsal players; (3) diverse views on how to improve the intervention; (4) instilling social identity through sport psychology sessions; and (5) the impact of years of experience on skill learning. Results mirrored those from other sporting disciplines. The PSTMI was well-received and equipped athletes with beneficial psychological skills, stressing the need for more sport psychology resources in futsal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vella-Fondacaro
- Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Services Malta, ATD 9033 Attard, Malta
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta
| | - Stephanie Romano-Smith
- School of Health, Science and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Clark JD, Mallett CJ, Moyle GM, Coulter TJ. Understanding mental toughness at a Women's Australian rules football club. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 67:102432. [PMID: 37665885 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Scholars have argued that mental toughness is a term that represents hypermasculine ideals. This hypermasculinity ideal could be considered relevant in the sport of Australian rules football, which has been played, at the professional level, by male athletes for the majority of its existence. Given the rising popularity of the Australian Football League Women's (AFLW), the present research sought to explore how the term mental toughness was understood at an AFLW club through a cultural sport psychology lens. Interviews were conducted with players (n = 4) and coaches (n = 6) from an AFLW club over the course of a competitive season. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed, with themes constructed to correspond with different levels of contextual influence. From this analysis, the club values and underlying assumptions, the social truths, and the role models/archetypes that provided a collective understanding of the term were identified. Mental toughness was defined by high-performance values of the men's game, which had implications for female athletes in this environment who are not afforded the same opportunities to fully embody these values. Mental toughness is positioned, in this environment, as an ideal with different meanings for female athletes due to structural factors associated with elite-level competition (e.g., full-time versus part-time professionalism).
Collapse
|
4
|
Hathaway L, Shields A. Mental Toughness: Yes, Please. ACSM'S HEALTH & FITNESS JOURNAL 2023. [DOI: 10.1249/fit.0000000000000842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
|
5
|
Clark JD, Mallett CJ, Moyle GM, Coulter TJ. Competitive Situations Requiring Mental Toughness in Women's Australian Rules Football. J Sports Sci 2023; 40:2412-2423. [PMID: 36683046 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2022.2162239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In the last decade, mental toughness (MT) researchers have been interested in the behaviours exemplifying MT. Despite this interest, little attention has been paid to the competitive situations these behaviours occur in. Hence, the aim of the current study was to start addressing this gap by comprehensively focusing on the situations requiring MT in sport - specifically, the contextual demands linked to MT in women's Australian rules football. Focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted at two Australian rules football clubs after each competitive round of the 2020 season. Following analysis of participant responses, three broad situational categories were created, representing the psychological demands required by the player or team to successfully overcome in-game challenges. These categories were: context intelligence, attentional regulation, and emotional regulation. This study identified that situations requiring MT also required a degree of acceptance and commitment - alluding to a potential link between acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT) and MT. Conceptually, this view offers a new perspective on the psychological process of being mentally tough in competition. The link between ACT and MT also offers an avenue for MT development. Recommendations are made for incorporating these identified situations into regular training sessions following affective learning design principles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James D Clark
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Gene M Moyle
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tristan J Coulter
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A Multiday Professional Padel Tournament Impairs Sleep, Mental Toughness, and Reaction Time: A World Padel Tour Field Study. Motor Control 2023:1-16. [PMID: 36791726 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2022-0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess, for the first time, how self-reported sleep, mental toughness, and reaction time are impacted by a professional padel tournament. In addition, we evaluated whether sex, age, and/or ranking play a role in this possible effect of a tournament on these variables. Twenty-three professional players (15 men, Mage = 24 ± 6 years; eight women, Mage = 21 ± 5 years) were evaluated on two occasions: (a) baseline, in a noncompetitive week and (b) postmeasure, the morning after an individual was eliminated from the tournament. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Mental Toughness Questionnaire, and the psychomotor vigilance task were used to evaluate the dependent variables. Wilcoxon tests or paired samples t tests were employed to assess the effect of participating in the tournament. To test correlations between variables, Pearson correlation coefficients (quantitative variables) or chi-square distributions (qualitative variables) were employed. Results showed that self-reported sleep (p < .01), mental toughness (p = .01), and reaction time (p = .04) were significantly impaired by the tournament. Exploring moderating variables, results showed that mental toughness did not correlate with sleep impairments (p > .05). In contrast, a nearly significant correlation between sleep impairments and higher reaction times was found (p = .066). No significant effects of age, sex, and ranking were observed. In conclusion, participating in a padel competition impairs the self-reported sleep, mental toughness, and reaction time of professional padel players. A trend toward a significant correlation between the competition-related impairment in sleep and reaction time was observed, whereas age, ranking, and sex were not found to be moderators of any of these impairments.
Collapse
|
7
|
Soundara Pandian PR, Balaji Kumar V, Kannan M, Gurusamy G, Lakshmi B. Impact of mental toughness on athlete's performance and interventions to improve. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2022:jbcpp-2022-0129. [PMID: 35792085 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2022-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mental toughness is the ability to handle pressure, adversity, and stress by overcoming failures. It is also the state of persisting without refusing to quit, with the possession of superiority in mental skills. This review aimed to describe the effect of mental toughness on the performance of athletes and also to have an insight into the various interventions to improve mental toughness. For this, PubMed was searched using the appropriate keywords till December 2021 and a narrative synthesis was performed. Mental tightness was evident to be correlated with many important aspects such as better performance, goal progress, withholding stress, coping, optimism and self-reflection. It also helps in a better level of confidence, constancy, control, positive cognition, visualization and challenges than the opponent team. Many interventional strategies have been adopted in previous years which mainly focused on personalized programs including psychological skills training, coping and optimism training, mindfulness, yoga, general relaxation, imagery, and a combination of both, and many more other aspects were observed to be effective in improving mental toughness. However, physical training alone did not observe to be beneficial. The current evidence indicates the important role of mental toughness on the sports performance of athletics and the role of various interventional strategies focusing on mindfulness and psychological interventions in improving mental toughness. All these interventional strategies need to be implemented in the actual practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Raja Soundara Pandian
- Department of Psychology, M.S.Chellamuthu Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Veera Balaji Kumar
- Department of Psychology, M.S.Chellamuthu Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mahalingam Kannan
- Department of Psychology, M.S.Chellamuthu Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gurubharathy Gurusamy
- Department of Psychology, M.S.Chellamuthu Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Biju Lakshmi
- Department of Psychology, M.S.Chellamuthu Institute of Mental Health and Rehabilitation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mental Toughness Development via Military-Style Training in the NCAA: A Three-Phase, Mixed-Method Study of the Perspectives of Strength and Conditioning Coaches. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10060092. [PMID: 35736832 PMCID: PMC9230102 DOI: 10.3390/sports10060092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Sport cultures transmit values for anticipated conduct. Recent events have resulted in injuries/deaths of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes, usually during off-season football training. Through media reports, strength and conditioning coaches (SCC) have been allegedly involved by incorporating military-style training (MST). Mental toughness (MT) has been associated with hypermasculine subcultures in sports. For the first time, perceptions of collegiate SCCs were chosen to contribute to the development of cultural best practices in sports, via a multiphase mixed-method design (Phase 1, n = 465; Phase 2, n = 72; Phase 3, n = 99). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected aiming to confirm and explore the use of MST in the NCAA, its connection to SCCs, its association with MT development, and the role of the media. MST is uncommon in the NCAA. MST takes place mostly during the off-season in the form of physical, in-scope protocols while football is the most common sport. MST promotes MT. The recent media backlash is considered unfounded. Cultures promoted by SCCs do not indicate conformity of student-athletes to unethical/unhealthy expectations. Future sport psychology research and practice should continue to prioritize culture, cultural identities, and physical and mental well-being.
Collapse
|
9
|
De Kock JH, Latham HA, Cowden RG, Cullen B, Narzisi K, Jerdan S, Munoz SA, Leslie SJ, Stamatis A, Eze J. Brief Digital Interventions to Support the Psychological Well-being of NHS Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic: 3-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2022; 9:e34002. [PMID: 35044927 PMCID: PMC8982650 DOI: 10.2196/34002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health and social care staff are at high risk of experiencing adverse mental health (MH) outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, there is a need to prioritize and identify ways to effectively support their psychological well-being (PWB). Compared to traditional psychological interventions, digital psychological interventions are cost-effective treatment options that allow for large-scale dissemination and transcend social distancing, overcome rurality, and minimize clinician time. OBJECTIVE This study reports MH outcomes of a Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)-compliant parallel-arm pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the potential usefulness of an existing and a novel digital psychological intervention aimed at supporting psychological health among National Health Service (NHS) staff working through the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS NHS Highland (NHSH) frontline staff volunteers (N=169) were randomly assigned to the newly developed NHSH Staff Wellbeing Project (NHSWBP), an established digital intervention (My Possible Self [MPS]), or a waitlist (WL) group for 4 weeks. Attempts were made to blind participants to which digital intervention they were allocated. The interventions were fully automated, without any human input or guidance. We measured 5 self-reported psychological outcomes over 3 time points: before (baseline), in the middle of (after 2 weeks), and after treatment (4 weeks). The primary outcomes were anxiety (7-item General Anxiety Disorder), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire), and mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). The secondary outcomes included mental toughness (Mental Toughness Index) and gratitude (Gratitude Questionnaire-6). RESULTS Retention rates mid- and postintervention were 77% (n=130) and 63.3% (n=107), respectively. Postintervention, small differences were noted between the WL and the 2 treatment groups on anxiety (vs MPS: Cohen d=0.07, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.33; vs NHSWBP: Cohen d=0.06, 95% CI -0.19 to 0.31), depression (vs MPS: Cohen d=0.37, 95% CI 0.07-0.66; vs NHSWBP: Cohen d=0.18, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.46), and mental well-being (vs MPS: Cohen d=-0.04, 95% CI -0.62 to -0.08; vs NHSWBP: Cohen d=-0.15, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.10). A similar pattern of between-group differences was found for the secondary outcomes. The NHSWBP group generally had larger within-group effects than the other groups and displayed a greater rate of change compared to the other groups on all outcomes, except for gratitude, where the rate of change was greatest for the MPS group. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses provided encouraging results for the use of brief digital psychological interventions in improving PWB among health and social care workers. Future multisite RCTs, with power to reliably detect differences, are needed to determine the efficacy of contextualized interventions relative to existing digital treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN) ISRCTN18107122; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18107122.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes H De Kock
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Psychology, New Craigs Psychiatric Hospital, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | | | - Richard G Cowden
- Human Flourishing Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Breda Cullen
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Katia Narzisi
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Shaun Jerdan
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah-Anne Munoz
- Division of Rural Health and Wellbeing, Institute of Health Research and Innovation, School of Health, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Leslie
- Cardiac Unit, Raigmore Hospital, NHS Highland, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Stamatis
- Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY, United States
| | - Jude Eze
- Epidemiology Research Unit, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Northern Faculty, Scotland's Rural College, Inverness, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dagnall N, Drinkwater KG, Denovan A, Walsh RS. The Potential Benefits of Non-skills Training (Mental Toughness) for Elite Athletes: Coping With the Negative Psychological Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:581431. [PMID: 34632374 PMCID: PMC8498215 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.581431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on global sport. This is especially true at the elite level, where it has disrupted training and competition. Concomitantly, restrictions have disrupted long-term event planning. Many elite athletes remain unsure when major events will occur and worry about further interruptions. Although some athletes have successfully adapted to the demands of the COVID-19 crisis, many have experienced difficulties adjusting. This has resulted in psychological complications including increased stress, anxiety, and depression. This article critically examines the extent to which non-cognitive skills training, in the form of increased awareness of Mental Toughness, can help elite athletes inoculate against and cope with negative psychological effects arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-cognitive skills encompass intrapersonal (motivations, learning strategies, and self-regulation) and interpersonal (interactions with others) domains not directly affected by intellectual capacity. Previous research indicates that enhancement of these spheres can assist performance and enhance mental well-being. Moreover, it suggests that training in the form of increased awareness of Mental Toughness, can improve the ability to cope with COVID-19 related challenges. In this context, Mental Toughness encompasses a broad set of enabling attributes (i.e., inherent and evolved values, attitudes, emotions, and cognitions). Indeed, academics commonly regard Mental Toughness as a resistance resource that protects against stress. Accordingly, this article advocates the use of the 4/6Cs model of Mental Toughness (i.e., Challenge, Commitment, Control, and Confidence) to counter negative psychological effects arising from COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Dagnall
- Department of Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jaenes JC, Wilczyńska D, Alarcón D, Peñaloza R, Casado A, Trujillo M. The Effectiveness of the Psychological Intervention in Amateur Male Marathon Runners. Front Psychol 2021; 12:605130. [PMID: 33841241 PMCID: PMC8024526 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.605130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Marathon runners must have the proper technical preparation to reach excellence and to achieve adequate psychological preparation for the race. Against this background, the current study aims to describe the implementation results of a cognitive-behavioral intervention based on psychological skills training for marathon runners. Methods: Fourteen amateur male marathoners with an average age of 30 (SD = 5.75) were trained with various emotional and cognitive control techniques to enhance their performance in competition. Various psychological variables, related to the subjects level of perceived stress, and to qualitative characteristics of their thoughts were measured before and after the target marathon race. Results were analyzed through non-parametric tests for two related samples. The Cohen's d effect size for single-group pretest-posttest repeated measures were also performed. Results: Statistical analysis reveals that, controlling for age and running experience, the intervention decreased significantly the level of perceived stress and the occurrence of negative thoughts before the race, during, and after the race. Conclusion: Training in cognitive control and relaxation techniques, as part of the psychological skills training could determine the quality of performance of marathon runners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Jaenes
- Department Social Anthropology, Basic Psychology and Public Health, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Dominika Wilczyńska
- Department of Social Science, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - David Alarcón
- Department Social Anthropology, Basic Psychology and Public Health, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Rafael Peñaloza
- Faculty of Higher Studies Zaragoza, Psychology Career, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arturo Casado
- Centre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Trujillo
- School of Medicine, New York University, New York City, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|