Is physical fitness sufficient to be mentally tough

Abstract

Sports is a psycho-social activity and it is essential to participate in it to maintain physical fitness and mental toughness. This study compares the physical fitness and psychological variables (mental toughness) of national level Cricket and Softball women players in Karnataka. Sixteen cricket and sixteen softball players were subjected to a physical fitness and a standardized mental toughness test. Physical fitness test included - 30 meters dash, sit and reach test, 6x10 meters shuttle run, bent knee sit-ups, softball throw, 800 meters run and modified push-ups. Standardized test of Dr. Alan Goldberg on mental toughness included the compone 006Ets-rebound ability, ability to handle pressure, concentration, confidence and motivation. Data was statistically analyzed using ‘t’ test to find out the mean difference and standard deviation of physical fitness and mental toughness between the two groups. Out of 7 parameters there was a significant difference in only 2 parameters - flexibility and abdominal strength, in which the cricket players fared better than the softball players. However cricket players were more mentally tough than softball players. Even though there was no significant difference between the two groups in five physical fitness parameters, the cricketers were more mentally tough than the softball players; which indicates that physical fitness alone is not the sole contributor to mental toughness in athletes.