Abstract: ABSTRACTThe Current study investigated the level of toughness of scholar athletes of selected State Universities and Colleges in Region 02, Philippines as a key factor for optimal sports performance, as well as looking at its significant difference when athletes were grouped according to their gender and type of sport (individual/team). Data were collected through the Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI). The collected data were computed and analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test. A total of 213 scholar athletes took part in this research where among the participants, male respondents were dominative and mostly were team athletes. The findings also revealed that scholar athletes' level of toughness to have 'room for improvement' on self-confidence, visual and imagery control, motivation level, positive energy and attitude control while 'needs special attention' on negative energy and attention control. When grouped according to gender, the data uncovered a significant difference on some attributes of toughness (self-confidence, visual and imagery control, motivation level and positive energy); conversely, when data were grouped according to type of sport (individual/team), athletes' level of toughness were reported to have no significant difference. In conclusion, coaches need to address athletes' low level of toughness since it is now being recognized that physical talent is not the only component which leads to athletic success (Gucciardi, Gordon & Dimmock, 2008) but also attributed to athletes' psychological skills (Creasy, 2005; Williams & Krane, 2001). Hence, the inclusion of a Psychological Skills Training (PST) program as an essential part of athletes' regular training is recommended.Keywords: Mental Toughness; Scholar Athletes, Psychological Performance Inventory, Psychological Skills Training ProgramINTRODUCTION:It is widely believed among competitive sport circles that a successful athlete especially those who become legacies are built through the draft (Sabino, 2009 cited by Gee, Mashall & King, 2010). For some successful athletes, they started as college athletes playing for the college intramurals, triangular meet or the regional meet. Intercollegiate athletics are integral component of a student's college life at many colleges and universities. They provide publicity to their universities and entertainment to the community, and they help develop and instill school pride (Sylwester & Witosky, 2004).Normally, sports are activities which marked the emphasis on the physical attributes of athletes; however, it is now being acknowledged that physical talent is not the only component that leads to athletic success (Gucciardi, Gordon & Dimmock, 2008). In fact, most coaches and athletes recognized that ninety percent of the sporting success is due to psychological skills (Williams, & Krane, 2001). These psychological skills form the heart of the present study and it sought to find out the level of toughness of scholar athletes of selected State Colleges and Universities in Region 02, Philippines, who participated the inter-campus/inter-university sports competition, as well as the regional and national athletic activities of State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA). However, despite the rigorous and regimental physical training, some athletes may perform well at high standards despite massive pressure and others may perform adequately but not to their full capability. The answer may lie on some psychological skills like athletes' toughness which can be learned (Loehr, 1986).Loehr (1986) popularized the term mental toughness' to describe the ability to perform ideally and maintain consistency during the heat of competition. It describes athletes' strengths and weaknesses relative to the seven (7) subscales of toughness, these are: self-confidence as the belief that one can perform well and be successful; negative energy control means to cope-up with negative emotions such as fear, anger, frustration and temper for achieving success; attention control refers being focused to perform well; visualization and imagery control relates to create a positive images; motivational level speak of the athletes energy and willingness to persevere; positive energy control denotes that an athlete is energized with fun, joy and satisfaction; and attitude control imply the habits of thought and unyielding. …
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-07-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 7
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