The effect of mental training on football coaches' mental toughness and problem solving skills

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of mental training on football coaches' mental toughness and problem-solving skills. In this research, mixed method was preferred as a research design. In the quantitative part of the study quasi-experimental method was used and 8-weeks of mental training protocol was applied to 30 football coaches. During the pre-test and posttest data were collected by scales and wearable technology was also used to collect psychometric data. In the qualitative part of the research, from the experimental group, 11 football coaches' thoughts about the effects of the 8-weeks mental training period were received. At the end of 8-weeks mental training period, there were statistically significant differences between the pretest and posttest. There were developments on football coaches' mental toughness and problem-solving skills. In the psychometric data, focus, relaxation, coherence were increased. Moreover, the quantitative and qualitative results are supporting each other. The participants also stated that they felt the improvement on their vocational and social life after 8 weeks of mental training.