Mental toughness and athletic performance: a narrative review.

Q3 Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Pub Date : 2025-09-25 DOI:10.1515/jbcpp-2025-0091

Raja Soundara Pandian Pachaiappan, Veera Balajikumar Veeraswamy, Kannan Mahalingam, Gurubharathy Gurusamy, Bijulakshmi Parthiban

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Mental toughness represents a crucial psychological construct in competitive sports. This narrative review examines the relationship between mental toughness and athletic performance across various sports domains.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review of empirical studies published between 2000 and 2024. Relevant articles were identified through database searches including PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Studies examining mental toughness in relation to performance outcomes in competitive athletes were included.

Results: Evidence consistently shows positive correlations between mental toughness and athletic performance (r=0.21-0.63). Mental toughness demonstrates stronger associations with performance in individual sports compared to team sports. Additionally, psychological interventions targeting mental toughness components show promise for enhancing athletic outcomes.

Conclusions: Mental toughness represents a significant psychological factor in athletic achievement. The construct influences performance through multiple pathways including resilience to pressure, emotional regulation, and focus maintenance. Practical applications for coaches and sport psychologists are discussed.

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心理韧性与运动表现：一种叙事回顾。

背景：心理韧性是竞技体育中一种重要的心理建构。这篇叙述性的评论研究了心理韧性和运动表现之间的关系，跨越各种运动领域。方法：对2000 - 2024年间发表的实证研究进行文献综述。相关文章通过PubMed、PsycINFO、SPORTDiscus和Web of Science等数据库检索得到。包括研究心理韧性与竞技运动员表现结果的关系。结果：有证据表明心理韧性与运动成绩呈正相关（r=0.21-0.63）。与团队运动相比，心理韧性与个人运动的表现有更强的联系。此外，针对心理韧性成分的心理干预显示出提高运动成绩的希望。结论：心理韧性是影响运动员成绩的重要心理因素。该构念通过压力复原力、情绪调节和注意力维持等多种途径影响绩效。讨论了教练员和运动心理学家的实际应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics-Pharmacology

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology (JBCPP) is a peer-reviewed bi-monthly published journal in experimental medicine. JBCPP publishes novel research in the physiological and pharmacological sciences, including brain research; cardiovascular-pulmonary interactions; exercise; thermal control; haematology; immune response; inflammation; metabolism; oxidative stress; and phytotherapy. As the borders between physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry become increasingly blurred, we also welcome papers using cutting-edge techniques in cellular and/or molecular biology to link descriptive or behavioral studies with cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the integrative processes. Topics: Behavior and Neuroprotection, Reproduction, Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity, Vascular Conditions, Cardiovascular Function, Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Interactions, Oxidative Stress, Metabolism, Immune Response, Hematological Profile, Inflammation, Infection, Phytotherapy.