The relationship between aerobic endurance and mental toughness among professional soccer players

Objective: The research at hand investigates the relationship between aerobic endurance and mental toughness among professional soccer players. Material and Methods: The research was carried out with 391 professional soccer players in training camps between July and August 2019 for the 2019-2020 Turkish professional soccer season. The data employed in the research is collected by way of Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level-1, and Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire. The analysis is performed with IBM SPSS 22 statistical package. The normality is tested by way of a Kolmogorov Smornov Test, independence is tested by way of t-test, and the relationship between the variables is tested by way of Pearson Pairwise Correlations. Results: The findings suggest that among the participating professional soccer players, both the MaxVO2 averages and mental toughness scores are statistically significantly higher for the players who play in the Super League than their counterparts playing in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd leagues. In addition, when the players' endurance is examined with respect to their positions on the field, it is found that the MaxVO2 averages, as well as mental toughness scores, are statistically significantly higher than the endurance of players in other positions. Conclusion: The research at hand finds a statistically significant and positive relationship between aerobic endurance and cognitive endurance among professional soccer players, whereby an increased MaxVO2 is associated with increased cognitive endurance. Keywords: Aerobic endurance, MaxVO2, Professional soccer players, Mental toughness.