Daniel F. Gucciardi|Sheldon Hanton|Scott Fleming
Are mental toughness and mental health contradictory concepts in elite sport? A narrative review of theory and evidence
Curtin University|Cardiff Metropolitan University|Cardiff Metropolitan University
athlete development management encompass complex interaction biological psychological social factors within elite sport multidisciplinary sport science medicine teams play important role achieving optimal balance preventing athlete illhealth optimizing health performance psychological aspects athlete health performance gained increased attention past two decades much research concerned mental health athletes concept mental toughness recently proposed mental health mental toughness contradictory concepts world elite sport although interesting proposition claim substantiated thus purpose narrative review evaluate theory evidence regarding thesis mental health mental toughness contradictory concepts world elite sport view advance scholarly knowledge inform professional practicenarrative reviewa critical evaluation literature suggests mental toughness may represent positive indicator mental health facilitate attainment rather odds itwhen implemented alongside multilayered approaches organizational change eg group structures policies mental toughness could used hook attract athletes settings open dialogue importance mental health improve knowledge key issues eg stigma symptoms