Mental toughness and its relationship to the achievement level of the weightlifters in Egypt

Öz

Mental Toughness (MT) is a crucial factor for super-elite athletes "Olympians", since differences in physical and technical competences are minimal at the professional level. A sample of 28 Egyptian male weightlifters (14 elite & 14 non-elite) and 18 female (9 elite & 9 non-elite) were selected to study the differences between the Egyptian elite and non-elite weightlifters. Also determine of the relationship between MT and the level of achievement was targeted. Participants completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ) evaluating an individual's competitive desire, focus, self-confidence, and resiliency (4 subscales). T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. MT of elite was significant than non-elite weightlifters (p < 0.05, 2-tailed). Subscales associated with MT were also significant at elite. Focus and competitive desire were the most important psychological attributes characterizing the elite male weightlifters, while resilience and focus were at elite female. The correlation between MT and the achievement level was r =0.974^** (p < 0.01, 2-tailed). MT represents a condition for developing the achievement level. It is recommended that sport psychologists should help Egyptian elite weightlifters to develop and refine their MT to enter “high mental toughness range”, assisting with the formal integration of psychological training into physical training. As such, this integration may facilitate the effective transfer of mental skills into competition, which can help Egyptian weightlifters to achieve better results in great competitions (e.g., Olympic Games). 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Mental toughness; achievement level; weightlifters

Kaynakça

1. Ajan T, Baroga L. Weightlifting fitness for all sports. I.W.F, Medicina Pub. House, Budapest, 1988.
2. Asamoah B. The role of mental toughness, psychological skills and team cohesion in soccer performance. Master thesis, Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Education, 2013.
3. Bull SJ, Shambrook CJ, James W, Brooks JE. Towards an understanding of mental toughness in elite English cricketers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2005; 17(3): 209–227.
4. Cherry HL. Psychometric analysis of an inventory assessing mental toughness. Master Thesis, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, 2005.
5. Castagna C, Abt G, D’ottavios S, Weston M. Age-related effects on fitness performance in elite level soccer referees. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 2005; 19: 785- 790.
6. Clough PJ, Earle K, Sewell D. Mental toughness: The concept and its measurement. In I. Cocerill (Ed.), solutions in sport psychology, London: Thomson, 2002: 32–43.
7. Connaughton D, Hanton S, Jones G. The development and maintenance of mental toughness in the world’s best performers. The Sport Psychologist, 2010; 24: 168–193.
8. Connaughton D, Hanton S, Jones G, Wadey R. Mental toughness research: Key issues in this area. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 2008; 39(3): 192–204.

9. Crust L. Mental toughness in sport: A review. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2007; 5: 270-290. 10. Crust L. researchers. Personality 2008; 45(7): 576-583. Implications for Differences, and Individual
10. Crust L. The relationship between mental toughness and affect intensity. Personality and Individual Differences, 2009; 47(8): 959-963.
11. Crust L, Clough PJ. Relationship between mental toughness and physical endurance. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2005; 100: 192-194.
12. Elemiri A. The Effect of a suggested program for improving some kinesthetic percepts on the achievement level for beginners Almansoura University, Faculty of sports Education, Egypt, 2010. sport. Doctoral Thesis,
13. Elemiri A, Hassan M. Beginners training in weightlifting. Almanar Press, Almansoura, Egypt, 2011: 3-15.
14. Ezzat E. A future vision for schools of talented athletes. National Conference for talented 9-10 April "talent locomotive progress", Cairo, 2000; 161-170.
15. Fourie S, Potgieter JR. The nature of mental toughness in sport. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 2001; 23: 63-72.
16. Golby J, Sheard M. Mental toughness and hardiness at different levels of rugby league. Personality and Individual Differences, 2004; 37: 933-942.
17. Golby J, Sheard M, Lavallee D. A cognitive-behavioural analysis of mental toughness in national rugby league teams. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2003; 96: 455-462.
18. Gould D, Dieffenbach K, Moffett A. Psychological talent and their development in Olympic champions. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2002; 14: 172-204.
19. Gould D, Hodge K, Peterson K, Petlichkoff L. Psychological foundations of coaching: similarities and differences among intercollegiate wrestling coaches. The Sport Psychologist, 1987; 1: 293–308.
20. Gucciardi DF. The relationship between developmental experiences and mental toughness in adolescent cricketers. Journal of Sport Exercise Psychology, 2011; 33(3): 370-393.
21. Gucciardi DF, Gordon S, Dimmock JA. Towards an understanding of mental toughness in Australian football. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2008; 20: 261-281.
22. Gucciardi DF, Gordon S, Dimmock JA. Evaluation of a mental toughness training program for youth-aged Australian footballers: II. A qualitative analysis. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2009; 21: 324–339.
23. Hagag H, Ali M. The relationship between mental toughness and results of the Egyptian fencing team at the 9th all-Africa games. Ovidius University Annals, Romania, Series Physical Education and Sport Science, Movement and Health, 2014; 14 (1): 85-90.
24. Hanna G. The history of weightlifting in Egypt and the world. MG Mark Press, Cairo, Egypt, 2011; 82-202.
25. Hegazie M. Effects of developing motor imagery on two hand clean and jerk lift in weightlifting sport. Dissertation, Alexandria University, Faculty of Physical Education, Egypt, 1993; 3-4.
26. Ismaiel M, Abdelrahman U. Mental toughness and its relationship with the performance strategies of the fencing players in the national team of Egypt. Journal of Science and Arts sport, Faculty of Physical Education of the Girls at Helwan University, 2007; Vol. December; 307-336.
27. Jarottova E. Psychometrische Analyse, Dimensionalität und Leistungskorrelate von Mental Toughness im Klettersport. Diplomarbeit, Wien Universität, 2013.
28. Jones G, Hanton S, Connaughton D. What is this thing called mental toughness? An investigation of elite sport performers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2002; 14(3), 205-218.
29. Jones G, Hanton S, Connaughton D. A framework of mental toughness in the world’s best performers. The Sport Psychologist, 2007; 21(2), 243–264.
30. Katharina AH. Psychometric analysis and dimensionality of mental toughness in the context of judo performance. Thesis, Wien University, 2012.
31. Kuan G, Roy J. Goal profiles, mental toughness and its influence on performance outcomes among Wushu athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2007; 6: 28-33.
32. Kudlackova K. The Relationship between mental toughness, relaxation activities, and sleep in athletes at different skill levels. Electronic theses, The Florida State University, 2011.
33. Lazarus RS. How emotions influence performance in competitive sports. The Sport Psychologist, 2000; 14: 229-252. 35. Lippmann J, Kohl M. Gewichtheben : Rahmentrainingskonzeption für Kinder und Jugendliche im Leistungssport. Landessportbundes NW & BVDG, 1993.
34. Loehr JE. The new mental toughness training for sports. New York, NY: Plume, 1995: 127.
35. Meggs J, Ditzfeld C, Golby J. Self-concept organisation and mental toughness In sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2014; 32(2): 101–109.
36. Meyers MC, Bourgeois AE, Leunes A, Murray NG. Mood and psychological skills of elite and sub-elite equestrian athletes. Journal of Sport Behavior, 1999; 22(3): 399-409.
37. Middleton SC, Marsh WH, Martin JA, Richards EG, Perry C. Discovering mental toughness: A qualitative study of mental toughness in elite athletes. SELF Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, Australia, 2004.
38. Middleton SC, Marsh WH, Martin JA, Richards EG, Savis J, Perry C, Brown R. Mental toughness: Is the mental toughness test tough enough? Self-concept Enhancement and Learning Facilitation Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, Australia, 2003.
39. Newland A, Newton M, Finch L, Harbke C, Prodlog L. Moderating variables in the relationship between mental toughness and performance in basketball. Journal of Sport and Health Sciences, 2013; 2(3): 184–192.
40. Nicholls AR, Polman RJ, Levy AR, Backhouse SH. Mental toughness in sport: Achievement level, gender, age, experience, and sport type differences. Personality and Individual Differences, 2009; 47(1): 73-75.
41. Nolte PL. The effect of variable environment factors on sport performance. Master Thesis, University of Johannesburg, 2013.
42. Norris EK. Epistemologies of champions: A discursive analysis of champions’ retrospective attributions; looking back and looking within. Michigan: Michigan University, Microfilms International, 1999.
43. Pasha A. The mental toughness and its relationship to sports achievement and its impact on players of high levels sports. Master Thesis, Tanta University, Faculty of Physical Education, 2011.
44. Perry JD, Williams JM. Relationship of intensity and direction of competitive trait anxiety to skill level and gender in tennis. The Sport Psychologist, 1998; 12: 169-179.
45. Rana SM. Assessment of mental toughness among high and low achievers Indian wrestlers: A comparative study. Research Journal of Physical Education & Sports Sciences, 2009; 4: 60-70.
46. Ratib U. Psychological skills training – applications in sports field. Alfekr Alarabie Press, Cairo, Egypt, 2004.
47. Rushdi S. Mental training program for correct wrong- trajectory of the bar for Weightlifters in the two snatch lift. Doctoral Thesis, Helwaan University, Faculty of Physical Education, Egypt, 1999.
48. Salvador A. Coping with competitive situations in humans. Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews, 2005; 29: 195-205.
49. Schnabel G, Harre D, Krug J, Borde A. Training swissenschaft. Berlin: Sportverlag, 2003.
50. Sheard M. A Cross-national analysis of mental toughness and hardiness in elite university rugby league teams. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 2009; 109: 213-223.
51. Sheard M. Mental toughness: The mindset behind sporting achievement. London: Routledge, 2010.
52. Sheard M, Golby J, Van Wersch A. Progress towards construct validation of the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 2009; 25(3): 186-193.
53. Starkes JL, Ericsson KA. Expert performance in sports: Advances in research on sport expertise. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2003.
54. Thomas PR, Over R. Psychological and psychomotor skills associated with performance in golf. The Sport Psychologist, 1994; 8(1): 73-86.
55. Tristan JC, Clifford JM, Gucciardi DF. Understanding of mental toughness in Australian soccer: Perceptions of players, parents and coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 2010; 28: 699-716.
56. Williams JM. Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009.
57. http://www.iwf.net/results/results-by- events/?event_type=Olympic+Games&event_age=all&event_ nation=all&x=13&y=8 , 2014.