Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological variables of runners of ultra-trail mountain races and their association with athletic performance and success. The sample was made up of 356 mountain runners, 86.7% men and 13.2% women, with a mean age of 42.7 years and 5.7 years of experience. Using pre- and post-race questionnaires, data were collected regarding mental toughness, resilience, and passion. The performance of each runner in the race was also recorded. The results showed very high values in the psychological variables analyzed compared with other sports disciplines. Completion of the race (not withdrawing) and the elite quality of the runners were presented as the most relevant indicators in the processes of resilience, mental toughness, and obsessive passion. Differences were noted between the pre- and post-race results, suggesting that the competition itself is a means of training those psychological factors that are essential to this sports discipline. It can be concluded that psychological factors are decisive to athletic performance and race completion in mountain ultra-marathon races.
Highlights
At the finish line of any ultra-marathon race, it is common to hear participants saying things such as “ . . . the final km. the legs just stopped working and only my head got me over the finish line,” or “ . . . I was able to finish this race because I’m psychologically fit.” This study seeks to take an in-depth look at and analyze the effect of three psychological variables on running mountain ultra-marathon races, these variables being mental toughness, resilience, and passion
Multiple studies have focused on analyzing the physiological variables for improving performance in ultra-marathons [4], yet a lack of knowledge still abounds regarding the psychological factors that are unique to these runners, despite an increase in studies in recent years due to the rising popularity of these types of races [5,6]
Significant correlations are observed between various psychological factors such as resilience, mental strength, and harmonious passion
Summary
At the finish line of any ultra-marathon race, it is common to hear participants saying things such as “ . . . the final km. the legs just stopped working and only my head got me over the finish line,” or “ . . . I was able to finish this race because I’m psychologically fit.” This study seeks to take an in-depth look at and analyze the effect of three psychological variables on running mountain ultra-marathon races, these variables being mental toughness, resilience, and passion. Multiple studies have focused on analyzing the physiological variables for improving performance in ultra-marathons [4], yet a lack of knowledge still abounds regarding the psychological factors that are unique to these runners, despite an increase in studies in recent years due to the rising popularity of these types of races [5,6]. In this sense, multiple mixed methods research projects have approached [7,8]. The lack of studies analyzing the psychological factors unique to these types of races [9] has led various groups to focus their work on analyzing said factors that manifest
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