The effects of mental toughness and self-talk on the level of fat talk in taekwondo

The purpose of this study is to determined the effects of mental toughness and self-talk on the level of fat talk in taekwondo. The research study included a total of 343 Male and Female athletes. The Taekwondo athletes who were included in this research all competed at cadet, youth and senior categories in 2019 Turkey Taekwondo Championship. To determine this study as a success, many methods were use. These methods include, Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire, Fat Talk Questionnaire, Self-Talk Questionnaire and also the Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher. Other tests used were the T-test, Anova test and simple linear regression analysis to analyze the data obtained within the scope of the research purpose. The findings obtained from the research were interpreted and examined in a comparative manner with the findings of the related research data. According to the results of the study, it was found that the national Taekwondo female athletes were more likely to talk about obesity than the non-national Taekwondo female athletes. In Taekwondo female athletes, the level of speaking about obesity was higher in the cadet category than in the youth and senior category. At the same time, it was concluded that the level of talking about obesity increased as the weight increase in Taekwondo female athletes. In Taekwondo male athletes, it was concluded that non-national Taekwondo male athletes has lower level of speaking about obesity. Similar to female Taekwondo athletes, Taekwondo male athletes have a higher rate of talking about obesity in the cadet category. In the study, no difference was found between male and female Taekwondo athletes in terms of talking about obesity. Female Taekwondo athletes, competing in the senior category, were found to have higher control levels than those competing in the cadet and junior category. It was determined that the control levels of the Taekwondo male athletes competing in the junior category were higher. It was concluded that Taekwondo male athletes had higher levels of durability competing in the cadet category. It was concluded that the control levels of athletes who lost weight before competition were lower in Taekwondo female athletes. According to the research the level of control in non-national Taekwondo male athletes is higher than national Taekwondo male athletes. When the control level of the Taekwondo male athletes was examined, it was found that the control level of the undergraduate and postgraduate education level was lower. In addition, it was concluded that as the weight increases in Taekwondo, the male athletes control levels increases. As a result of the study, before the competition, female Taekwondo athletes who do not gain weight or lose weight were found to have lower motivational levels. I was concluded that the level of fat talk in women Taekwondo athletes positively affected the subscale of mental toughness by the continuity subscale. Also it was concluded that the level of fat talk in man Taekwondo atheletes positively affected the subscale of mental toughness by the control subscale. Keywords: Taekwondo, Athletes, Self-Talk, Mental Toughness, Fat-Talk