ABSTRACT
The implications of mental toughness (MT) for competitive performance are highly attractive to personnel involved in sport. Physical toughness has been incorporated into prior MT interventions, but teaching athletes these methods may increase susceptibility to overtraining, burnout, and injury. An important consideration for designing effective interventions is the contextual nature of MT. Contextual influences may also explain why numerous unique attributes of MT have been identified by research teams in different sport environments. The vast number of idiosyncratic characteristics and behaviors has direct consequences for developing effective MT training programs. In summary, MT has the potential to enhance sport performance and promote athletes’ well-being. Although evidence has offered some support for the efficacy of selected MT interventions, approaches require further empirical evaluation. Despite distinctions, several features have frequently been identified as central to the concept of MT.
