Investigation of mental endurance levels of canoe athletes in sport: a cross-sectional study

Levent Tanyeri; Hakan Kırkbir; İsmet Çinan; Büsra Yilmaz; Serkan Hacıcaferoğlu

doi:10.15561/20755279.2025.0306

Authors

Levent Tanyeri Kafkas University Sarıkamış https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4356-5832
Hakan Kırkbir Karadeniz Technical University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4644-6716
İsmet Çinan Atatürk University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7403-5084
Büsra Yilmaz Baybur University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3098-6670
Serkan Hacıcaferoğlu Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8301-304X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2025.0306

Keywords:

sport sciences faculties, students, mental endurance, whitewater canoeing, backwater canoeing

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Mental endurance is considered a key psychological component that influences athletic performance, particularly in sports that demand high levels of focus and persistence. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of mental endurance in athletes engaged in canoeing. Material and Methods. The sample of the study consisted of 163 voluntary canoe athlete students who were studying in the faculties of sport sciences and doing canoeing as licensed students, selected by simple random sampling method. In order to collect the necessary data in the study, the ‘Mental Endurance Scale in Sport’ was used. The scale consists of the sub-dimensions ‘Trust’, ‘Continuity’, and ‘Control’. In the analyses of the data, t-test and ANOVA test were used. Statistically, the level of error p<.05 was accepted as Alpha (α). Results. As a result of the study, it was determined that there was a significant difference in the control sub-dimension according to the gender variable of the students in the sample. It was found that there was a significant difference in terms of age variable. The students aged between 18–20 years were more self-confident, while the students aged between 21–23 years showed more control and continuity. In the sport branch variable, it was found that there was a significant difference in the ‘Trust’ and ‘Control’ sub-dimensions, and the effect value was at a moderate level. It was determined that there was a significant difference in the sub-dimension of confidence in the variable of years of doing sports, and the effect value was at a moderate level. The self-confidence of the students who had been doing sports between 1 and 3 years was higher. Conclusions. In addition to the physical training and technical skills-enhancing practices of student athletes in sports schools, it will give positive results to carry out actions to increase mental endurance in order to be ready for sportive activities (competitions, recreative activities, etc.). Especially female students or younger students can be less affected by the negativities that may develop instantly within the framework of the difficulties of the sports branch.

Author Biographies

Levent Tanyeri, Kafkas University Sarıkamış

ireynat10@hotmail.com; Sarıkamış Faculty of Sports Sciences; Sarıkamış, Kars, Turkey.

Hakan Kırkbir, Karadeniz Technical University

hakankirkbir@gmail.com; Department of Sports Education; Turkey.

İsmet Çinan, Atatürk University

ismetcinan@gmail.com; Winter Sports Institute; Turkey.

Büsra Yilmaz, Baybur University

karabacakbusra61@gmail.com; Department of Physical Education and Sports; Turkey.

Serkan Hacıcaferoğlu, Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University

Prof., Dr.; serkanhacicaferoglu@gmail.com; Faculty of Sports Sciences; Turkey.

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