A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MENTAL TOUGHNESS AMONG OPEN AND CLOSED SKILL ATHLETES

Thus the aim of this study was to determine the role of mental toughness among open and closed skil l athletes. To obtain data, the investigators had sel ected for this purpose, Two hundred and nine (N=209) male inter-college level athletes of 20 to 25 years of a ge group were selected to act as subjects. They wer e further divided into two groups which includes n=130 open skill athletes and n=79 closed skill athletes of var ious games and sports. The purposive sampling technique was used to attain the objectives of the study. All the subjects, after having been informed about the obje ctive and protocol of the study, gave their consent and volunteered to participate in this study. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to compare the open and closed skill athletes . Where ‘F’ values were found significant, Scheffe’s post-hoc test was applied to identify the direction and sign ificant differences between the groups. For testing the hypotheses, the level of significance was set at 0. 05. Significant differences were observed among open skill athletes (volleyball, handball and basketball ) on the sub-variables; concentration, motivation a nd overall mental toughness (p 0.05). Insignificant differences were fo und with regard to the sub-variables; reboundability, abilit y to handle pressure, concentration, confidence, mo tivation and overall mental toughness (p>0.05).