Difference in the components of mental toughness in players of body contact games

Abstract

Mental toughness is the ability to consistently sustain one’s ideal performances state during adversities in competition. Performing to one’s potential requires good technique and mental skills. Ups and downs in performance are often directly traceable to psychological ups and downs. Players who create a special atmosphere within them perform consistently. Mental toughness is learnt, not inherited. The ultimate measure of mental toughness is consistency. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mental toughness of kabaddi, rugby and handball players. The subordinate purpose of the study was to find out (a) the difference between the mental toughness of kabaddi, rugby and handball players. The subjects for the study were 20 state & National level kabaddi players, 20 state & National level rugby players and 20 state and National level handball players. The age of the subjects ranged from 15 – 22.Data of the study was collected through mental toughness questionnaire by Alan Goldberg (2004) to find out the mental toughness of athletes. In order to examine the hypothesis of the study, descriptive statistics such as mean standard deviation and comparative statistics such as independent sample “t” test and analysis of variance were employed. The obtained values showed a significant difference between intergroup mental toughness on rugby players, handball players and kabaddi players.