The effect of long term physical training in the development of mental toughness in recreationally active participants

This study investigated the effect of a long-term training program on the development of mental toughness (MT). Thirty (2 female and 28 male) recreationally active participants (age: 33.53±6.83years; height: 177.41±7.11cm; weight: 78.40±11.94kg; maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): 47.00±6.48 ml.kg-1.min-1; mean±SD) undertook 6 months of training prior to completing a long-distance triathlon. Participants completed mental toughness questionnaires (MTQ48) at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of training and 1-month post-race. Data analysis included repeated measures ANOVAs for each MTQ48 variable with consideration to faster and slower finishers. Faster and slower finishers demonstrated non-significant differences (p>0.05) on all MT criteria. There was an effect for time with overall mental toughness (OMT) improving from baseline-post race (cohens d = 0.52; p<0.01) and month 2 post race (d = 0.39; p<0.01), commitment improving from baseline-post race (d = 0.60; p<0.05) and confidence increasing from month 2 post race (d = 0.39; p<0.05). The findings indicate that long term training culminating with competitive experience favourably impacts MT.