Examination of Mental Training and Mental Toughness in Elite Boxers

Abstract

Background: Mental training and toughness play an important role as well as physical training and toughness in increasing the performance of an athlete. Aim: This study aimed to i) evaluate the mental training and mental toughness levels of elite boxers in terms of various variables, ii) examine the relationship between mental training and mental toughness levels, and iii) investigate the predictive level of mental toughness levels of mental training levels. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 191 elite boxers. The data of the study were collected with the online questionnaire method using the Mental Training Inventory in Sports and the Mental Toughness Inventory in Sports. SPSS package program was preferred for data analysis and independent samples t-test was used for pairwise comparisons and one-way analysis of variance was used for multiple comparisons. Pearson Product Moments Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to test the relationship between mental training and mental toughness in elite boxers, and linear regression analysis was used to determine the ratio of mental training to predict mental toughness level. Results: While the digital game playing level of secondary school students was low, their level of loneliness was found to be moderate, and it was determined that there was a significant and negative difference between digital game addiction and loneliness. A statistically significant difference was found between the levels of Digital Game Addiction (DGA7) and the variable of gender, presence of digital devices, and daily digital game playing status. However, it was concluded that there was a statistically significant difference between the perceived loneliness levels of the participants and their gender, age, income status, and availability of digital devices. Conclusion: As a result, while the mental training levels of elite boxers differed significantly according to age and being national athlete status, there was no difference according to gender. Mental toughness levels differed significantly according to age categories, but there was no difference according to gender and being national athletic status. There was a positive and significant relationship between the mental training levels of elite boxers and their mental toughness levels. Moreover, it was concluded that the mental training levels of elite boxers were a significant predictor of their mental toughness levels (34%). This result showed that the athletes who want to increase their mental toughness levels should do mental training. Keywords: Mental Training, Mental Toughness, Elite Boxers.

Characteristics of Mental Toughness in Young Basketball Players of Different Age Groups

“…Csáki et al [54] investigated the mental toughness outcomes of elite soccer players from different age categories and found that junior athletes exhibited higher levels of overall self-confidence (effect size is small; d = .22) skills. Our study results are also consistent with the findings of a study conducted by Sural et al [47] with elite boxers. The authors [47] revealed that junior boxers demonstrated higher levels of self-confidence in interpersonal interactions (effect size is small; d = -.25) and overall self-confidence (effect size is medium; d = -.53) skills.…”

“…Our study results are also consistent with the findings of a study conducted by Sural et al [47] with elite boxers. The authors [47] revealed that junior boxers demonstrated higher levels of self-confidence in interpersonal interactions (effect size is small; d = -.25) and overall self-confidence (effect size is medium; d = -.53) skills.…”

“…Therefore, due to this reason, mental toughness research should be conducted, and training programs should be developed, taking into account existing gender differences, as including both genders in studies can lead to erroneous conclusions. Additionally, studies on mental toughness skills during adolescence only cover a specific and narrow range of skills, such as athletic mental toughness skills [3] or general mental toughness skills [47]. Considering the existing gaps in scientific research, the main goal is to reveal the peculiarities of mental toughness skills in male basketball players of the cadet and junior age categories.…”

The Effect of Perceived Social Support of University Students Taking The Special Talent Exam on The Levels of Mental Toughness

“…For example, Çoruh (2020) concluded in his research with combat athletes that perceived social support has a significant and positive relationship with self-confidence and toughness. Sural at al., (2021) It has been determined that there is a positive and significant relationship between the mental training levels of elite boxers and their mental toughness levels. Similarly, Doğan (2019) concluded in his study on immigrants that the increase in perceived social support causes a positive increase in self-confidence.…”

“…Human; It is an entity that shows the development of physical, mental and social organisms and is widely found in one dimension of it (Sural, et al, 2021). Emotions are an indispensable element of interpersonal relations as well as physical and mental health, which are very important in human life (Altınışık and Çelik, 2022).…”