This study examines the construct validity of an original self-report instrument for the assessment of mental toughness: the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Two independent studies supported a three-factor (Confidence, Constancy, and Control) 14-item model for the SMTQ. With a sample of 633 athletes (427 males, 206 females; M age = 21.5 years; SD = 5.48), drawn from 25 sport classifications, and competing at international, national, county and provincial, or club and regional standards, the first study utilized item development and exploratory factor analytic techniques to establish the psychometric properties of the SMTQ. Study 2 employed confirmatory factor analytic techniques with an independent sample of 509 sports performers (351 males, 158 females; M age = 20.2 years; SD = 3.35), competing at the aforementioned standards, and representative of 26 sports. Confirmatory analysis using structural equation modeling confirmed the overall structure. A single factor underlying mental toughness (G mt ) was identified with higher-order exploratory factor analysis using the Schmid-Leiman procedure. Collectively, satisfying absolute and incremental fit-index benchmarks, the inventory was shown to possess satisfactory psychometric properties, with adequate reliability, divergent validity, and discriminative power. The results revealed promising features of the SMTQ, lending preliminary support to the instrument's factorial validity and reliability. Further construct validation of the SMTQ is recommended, including its use as an index for evaluating the effect of intervention programs.

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There is minimal research on the practices of strength and conditioning coaches in England.Information about training programme design could be useful in developing models of good practice and ecologically valid intervention studies. The aim of the research was to quantify the reported their rowers performed strength training, with 81% using Olympic lifting, and 91% employing a periodised training model. The clean (63%) and squat (27%) were rated the most important exercises prescribed within the training programme. Approximately 50% of coaches used plyometrics such as depth jumps, box drills and standing jumps. Ninety four percent indicated they conducted physical testing on their rowers, typically assessing cardiovascular endurance (80%), muscular power (70%), muscular strength (70%) and anaerobic capacity (57%). On average, testing was conducted by coaches in pre-season (88%) and inseason (91%), while only 31% preformed postseason testing. Coaches typically prescribed static stretching (97%), dynamic stretching (69%), PNF stretching (56%). This research provides detailed information on the current strength and conditioning provision in rowing within Great Britain.Future studies could use this information to develop experimental protocols to examine the effect of current or new strength and conditioning interventions on rowing performance.

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