Relationship between injury anxiety levels and mental toughness levels of athletes engaged in winter sports

The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the injury anxiety levels and mental toughness skills of athletes involved in winter sports. The study utilizes both the correlational survey model and the causal-comparative model. The population of the study consists of professional athletes in the relevant federations of winter sports branches, while the sample group includes 184 professional winter sports athletes who actively participated in competitions in Turkey during the 2023-24 season. Participants were administered the Mental Toughness Inventory in Sports and the Sports Injury Anxiety Scale. In the comparison of scale scores according to the gender of the participants, significant differences were found in the Mental Toughness Inventory in Sports, with female athletes having higher scores. In the Sports Injury Anxiety Scale, it was determined that female athletes had more anxiety about disappointing others. The study also found that younger and less experienced athletes had more fear and anxiety about injuries, while ice sports athletes were more concerned about injuries than those in other branches. Additionally, athletes with a history of serious injuries were found to have higher mental toughness skills. In conclusion, mental toughness and sports injury anxiety in winter athletes can vary according to variables such as gender, age, branch, and experience. Psychological support and appropriate strategies can help athletes cope with these challenges and optimize their performance. These findings indicate that athletes need comprehensive support and training programs to maintain both their physical and mental health.