The Relationship Between Mental Toughness and the Competition Performance of Pencak Silat Athletes

Yuda Pratama; Tri Aji

doi:10.26858/cpjok.v18i2.889

Authors

Yuda Pratama Universitas Negeri Semarang Author
Tri Aji Universitas Negeri Semarang Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26858/cpjok.v18i2.889

Keywords:

Mental Toughness; Competitive Performance; Pencak Silat; Sport Psychology; Athlete Development.

Abstract

Mental toughness is recognized as one of the most important psychological factors influencing athletes’ ability to perform optimally under competitive pressure. In combat sports such as pencak silat, athletes are required not only to possess superior physical and technical abilities but also to demonstrate psychological resilience, confidence, commitment, and emotional control during competition. This study aimed to: (1) describe the level of mental toughness among PPLOP Central Java pencak silat athletes based on coaches’ assessments; (2) describe athletes’ competition performance based on self-assessment; and (3) examine the relationship between mental toughness and competition performance. This study employed a quantitative correlational survey design. The participants consisted of 13 pencak silat athletes from the Central Java Student Sports Education and Training Center (PPLOP Jawa Tengah), selected using total sampling. Data were collected through two questionnaires: a 25-item Mental Toughness Questionnaire completed by coaches and a 48-item Competition Performance Questionnaire completed by athletes. Data analysis included validity testing using Pearson Product Moment, reliability testing using Cronbach’s Alpha, normality testing using the Shapiro–Wilk test, descriptive statistics, and Spearman Rank correlation analysis. The results revealed that the majority of athletes were categorized as having moderate mental toughness (38.5%), with a mean score of 89.46 (SD = 2.33). Meanwhile, most athletes perceived their competition performance as high (46.2%), with a mean score of 155.00 (SD = 19.00). Spearman Rank analysis indicated no significant relationship between coach-rated mental toughness and athlete-rated competition performance (rs = -0.014; p = 0.964). The absence of a significant relationship may be attributed to differences in assessment perspectives, the small sample size, and the homogeneity of mental toughness scores. These findings highlight the importance of improving psychological assessment methods and implementing more structured mental development programs in athlete training systems.

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