MENTAL TOUGHNESS BETWEEN ELITE AND NON-ELITE ATHLETES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

 Dr. Shashi Kanaujia and Mr. Varun Prakash

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare the mental toughness of Elite and Non-Elite Athletes. For the purpose investigation 1000 male Elite and 100 male Non Elite Athletes (Total=200 Athletes) were selected as subjects of the study. Their age was ranged 18 to 25 year. Find out mental toughness of National level Athletes and State level Athletes. The collection of data Mental Toughness Questionnaire prepared by Allen Goldberg was administered. The questionnaire was comprised of 60 statement based on handling pressure (20 questions), concentration (17 questions), mental rebounding (14 questions) and winning attitude (9 questions). Each statement has two possible responses i.e. true and false. For the analysis of data, collected by administering the questionnaire to all the subject’s t- test was employed at 0.05 level of significant. The result of the study concluded that there was statistically significant difference in mental toughness of the Elite and Non-Elite Athletes in U.P. It is clear that the mean mental toughness between of Elite Athletes is significantly higher than the mean mental toughness of the Non Elite Athletes.

Keywords:  Mental Toughness, Elite Athletes, Non- Elite athletes’ analysis.