Mental toughness and athlete level in Olympic weightlifting

Summary of research comparing mental toughness in elite and non-elite Olympic weightlifters.

Who

18 female (9 elite, 9 non-elite) and 28 male (14 elite, 14 non-elite) weightlifters (Egypt).

Design

Analysis of survey data and weightlifting performance data.

Outcome measures/tests

Mental Toughness Questionnaire (MTQ) - assessing competitive desire, focus, self-confidence, resiliency

Main results

Mental toughness was correlated with achievement level (r =0.974, p<0.01).
Elite female weightlifters scored high on resilience and focus.
Elite male weightlifters scored high on focus and competitive desire.
Mental toughness component scores in elite versus non-elite female Olympic weightlifters:

Competitive desire

Focus

Resiliency

Self-confidence

Total

Mental toughness

Competitive desire

17.56±0.88

Focus

21.56±1.33

Resiliency

20.89±1.45

Self-confidence

17.44±1.51

Total

77.44±2.96

Mental toughness

Competitive desire

9.89±2.03

Focus

11.11±1.54

Resiliency

9.67±1.58

Self-confidence

9.67±2.12

Total

40.33±5.27

Mental toughness component scores in elite versus non-elite male Olympic weightlifters:

Competitive desire

Focus

Resiliency

Self-confidence

Total

Mental toughness

Competitive desire

18.86±1.17

Focus

22.50±2.31

Resiliency

20.71±2.09

Self-confidence

17.93±1.59

Total

80.00±5.84

Mental toughness

Competitive desire

10.86±1.70

Focus

11.00±1.75

Resiliency

10.71±1.82

Self-confidence

10.50±1.79

Total

43.07±4.62

Take home message

For a clinician & coach

Mental toughness is correlated with the achievement level of Olympic weightlifters, both females and males. Elite females are excellent at resilience and focus. Elite males are great at focus and competitive desire.

For a parent

Elite weightlifters are twice as mentally tough as non-elite weightlifters. The ability to focus is extremely important.

For an athlete

Elite weightlifters are twice as mentally tough as non-elite weightlifters. The ability to focus is extremely important.

Original article

Elemiri A, Ahmet AL. Mental toughness and its relationship to the achievement level of the weightlifters in Egypt. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise. 2014;16(2):63-9.

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