Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Fatigue and Competition Rumination in Female Taekwondo Athletes

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70736/spjses.349

Keywords:

Female athletes, mental fatigue, sport competition rumination, taekwondo

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between mental fatigue levels and sport competition rumination among licensed female taekwondo athletes and to examine whether these variables differed according to demographic characteristics. The study sample consisted of 264 female taekwondo athletes who were actively engaged in competitive sports within clubs affiliated with the Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports and who voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected using a “Personal Information Form” developed by the researchers, the “Mental Fatigue Scale”, and the “Sport Competition Rumination Scale”. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26. Since the assumptions of normality were met, parametric statistical tests were employed. Accordingly, independent samples retrieval and ANOVA tests were conducted. In addition, Cohen’s d and eta squared (η²) values were calculated to evaluate the effect sizes of group differences. The findings revealed no significant relationship between mental fatigue levels and sport competition rumination among female taekwondo athletes. However, mental fatigue scores differed significantly according to age and educational level. Sport competition rumination scores, on the other hand, varied significantly based on age and national athlete status. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in either variable with respect to marital status, years of sports experience, or other demographic characteristics. In conclusion, the findings indicate that there is no direct relationship between mental fatigue and sport competition rumination among female taekwondo athletes, while suggesting that these variables may be influenced by certain demographic characteristics.

References

Abbiss, C. R., & Laursen, P. B. (2005). Models to explain fatigue during prolonged endurance cycling. Sports Medicine, 35(10), 865-898. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200535100-00004

Akbulut, V. (2025). Karate sporcularında müsabaka ruminasyonu, psikolojik esneklik ve zihinsel dayanıklılık arasındaki ilişki. Gümüşhane Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 14(3), 954-964. https://doi.org/10.37989/gumussagbil.1668259

Akça, Z. S., & Lök, S. (2025). Üniversitede eğitim gören milli sporcuların sosyal görünüş kaygısı ile sosyal medya bağımlılığı ilişkisinin incelenmesi. Türk Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 8(1), 14-25. https://izlik.org/JA46CZ52FR

Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469-480. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469

Birrer, D., Röthlin, P., & Morgan, G. (2012). Mindfulness to enhance athletic performance: Theoretical considerations and possible impact mechanisms. Mindfulness, 3(3), 235-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-012-0109-2

Boksem, M. A. S., & Tops, M. (2008). Mental fatigue: Costs and benefits. Brain Research Reviews, 59(1), 125-139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.07.001

Bridge, C. A., Ferreira da Silva Santos, J., Chaabene, H., Pieter, W., & Franchini, E. (2014). Physical and physiological profiles of taekwondo athletes. Sports Medicine, 44(6), 713-733. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0159-9

Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2017). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri. Pegem.

Cevahircioğlu, B., Karakuş, K., & Şenel, E. (2023). Sporcularda zihinsel antrenman ile müsabaka ruminasyonu arasındaki ilişki. Kilis 7 Aralık Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(2), 292-305. https://izlik.org/JA48SX62FX

Chaabene, H., Hachana, Y., Franchini, E., Mkaouer, B., & Chamari, K. (2012). Physical and physiological profile of elite karate athletes. Sports Medicine, 42(10), 829-843. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03262297

Chen, D. T., Nien, J. T., Geng, X., Yu, J., Singhnoy, C., & Chang, Y. K. (2025). Relationship between ruminative dispositions and perceived sports performance in young elite athletes in Hong Kong: The role of problem-oriented coping strategies. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 7(1513277), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2025.1513277

Chen, M. (2014). Brain fog: The race for cripistemology. Journal of Literary & Cultural Disability Studies, 8(2), 171-184. https://doi.org/10.3828/jlcds.2014.14

Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587

Ehring, T., & Watkins, E. R. (2008). Repetitive negative thinking as a transdiagnostic process. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 1(3), 192-205. https://doi.org/10.1521/ijct.2008.1.3.192

Enoka, R. M., & Duchateau, J. (2016). Translating fatigue to human performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(11), 2228-2238. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000929

Ettleson, M. D., Raine, A., Batistuzzo, A., Batista, S. P., McAninch, E., Teixeira, M. C. T., & Bianco, A. C. (2022). Brain fog in hypothyroidism: Understanding the patient’s perspective. Endocrine Practice, 28(3), 257-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eprac.2021.12.003

Fédération Internationale de Football Association [FIFA]. (2026, Haziran 6). FIFA launches health and performance project to enhance female athlete research. https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/media-releases/health-performance-project-female-athletes-knowledge-research

Gandevia, S. C. (2001). Spinal and supraspinal factors in human muscle fatigue. Physiological Reviews, 81(4), 1725-1789. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.2001.81.4.1725

George, D., & Mallery, P. (2010). SPSS for Windows step by step: A simple guide and reference (10th Ed.). Pearson.

Gustafsson, H., Hill, A. P., Stenling, A., & Wagnsson, S. (2016). Profiles of perfectionism, parental climate, and burnout among competitive junior athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 26(10), 1256-1264. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12553

Güven, B., & İbrahimoğlu, Ö. (2023). Ameliyathane hemşirelerinde zihinsel yorgunluk ile klinik karar verme arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Hemşirelik Dergisi, 5(3), 237-244. https://doi.org/10.48071/sbuhemsirelik.1330883

Halson, S. L. (2014). Monitoring training load to understand fatigue in athletes. Sports Medicine, 44(2), 139-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0253-z

Huml, M. R., Bergman, M. J., Newell, E. M., & Hancock, M. G. (2019). From the playing field to the classroom: The academic challenges for NCAA division I athletes. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 13(2), 97-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/19357397.2019.1578609

Johansson, B., Starmark, A., Berglund, P., Rödholm, M., & Rönnbäck, L. (2010). A self-assessment questionnaire for mental fatigue and related symptoms after neurological disorders and injuries. Brain Injury, 24(1), 2-12. https://doi.org/10.3109/02699050903452961

Joormann, J. (2005). Inhibition, rumination, and mood regulation in depression. In R. W. Engle, G. Sedek, U. von Hecker ve D. N. McIntosh (Eds.), Cognitive limitations in aging and psychopathology (pp. 275-312). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511720413.012

Jowett, S., & Cramer, D. (2009). The role of romantic relationships on athletes’ performance and well-being. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 3(1), 58-72. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.3.1.58

Kara, M., Ogras, E. B., Talaghir, L. G., Iconomescu, T. M., & Gumus, H. (2025). Mental fatigue and return to well-being in athletes: Roles of cognitive reappraisal, gender, and alcohol consumption. Frontiers in Psychology, 16(1569973), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1569973

Karafil, A. Y., & Pehlivan, E. (2023). Spor müsabakası ruminasyon ölçeği’nin Türkçeye uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 28(1), 8-15. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1158522

Karasar, N. (2009). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi: Kavramlar, ilkeler, teknikler. Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.

Kazemi, M., Perri, G., & Soave, D. (2010). A profile of 2008 Olympic taekwondo competitors. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 54(4), 243-249.

Knicker, A. J., Renshaw, I., Oldham, A. R., & Cairns, S. P. (2011). Interactive processes link the multiple symptoms of fatigue in sport competition. Sports Medicine, 41(4), 307-328. https://doi.org/10.2165/11586070-000000000-00000

Korkmaz, C., & Demir, D. (2025). Yüzücülerde müsabaka ruminasyonu ve öz yeterlik düzeylerinin incelenmesi. Dede Korkut Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 3(1), 114-125. https://doi.org/10.71243/dksbd.1682416

Küttel, A., & Larsen, C. H. (2020). Risk and protective factors for mental health in elite athletes: A scoping review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 13(1), 231-265. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2019.1689574

Ma, Q. S., Chun, B. O., & Yao, S. J. (2025). Associations between life stress and athlete burnout: The chain mediation role of mindfulness and cognitive emotion regulation strategies. BMC Psychology, 13(1), 382. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02670-8

Madigan, D. J., Stoeber, J., & Passfield, L. (2015). Perfectionism and burnout in junior athletes: A three-month longitudinal study. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 37(3), 305-315. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2014-0266

Marcora, S. M., Staiano, W., & Manning, V. (2009). Mental fatigue impairs physical performance in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106(3), 857-864. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.91324.2008

Meeusen, R., Duclos, M., Gleeson, M., Rietjens, G., Steinacker, J., & Urhausen, A. (2006). Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the overtraining syndrome. European Journal of Sport Science, 6(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461390600617717

Michel-Kröhler, A., Krys, S., & Berti, S. (2021). Development and preliminary validation of the sports competition rumination scale (SCRS). Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 35(2), 265-283. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2021.1961921

Mountjoy, M., Sloan, S., Ali-Zada, M., Bindra, A., Blauwet, C., Budgett, R., & Gouttebarge, V. (2025). International Olympic Committee consensus-driven guidelines for athlete mental health support at sporting events. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 59(21), 1459-1470. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2025-109646

National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA]. (2026, Mayıs 20). Mental health issues remain on minds of student-athletes. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2022/5/24/media-center-mental-health-issues-remain-on-minds-of-student-athletes.aspx

Nicholls, A. R., & Polman, R. C. (2007). Coping in sport: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(1), 11-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410600630654

Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B. E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Rethinking rumination. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(5), 400-424. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00088.x

Ottaviani, C., Thayer, J. F., Verkuil, B., Lonigro, A., Medea, B., Couyoumdjian, A., & Brosschot, J. F. (2016). Physiological concomitants of perseverative cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 142(3), 231-259. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000036

Öntürk, Y. (2023). Sporda ruminasyon. In E. A. Uluç ve M. Yıldız (Eds.), Spor bilimleri alanında güncel yaklaşımlar II (ss. 99-110). Özgür Yayınları.

Reardon, C. L., Hainline, B., Aron, C. M., Baron, D., Baum, A. L., Bindra, A., & Engebretsen, L. (2019). Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2019). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(11), 667-699. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-100715

Regborn, F. F., Holmström, S., Svensson, M., & Sjögren, M. (2025). Emotion regulation and mental health in young elite athletes. Sports, 13(9), 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13090284

Rice, S. M., Purcell, R., de Silva, S., Mawren, D., McGorry, P. D., & Parker, A. G. (2016). The mental health of elite athletes: A narrative systematic review. Sports Medicine, 46(9), 1333-1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0492-2

Ross, A. J., Medow, M. S., Rowe, P. C., & Stewart, J. M. (2013). What is brain fog? An evaluation of the symptom in postural tachycardia syndrome. Clinical Autonomic Research, 23(6), 305-311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-013-0212-z

Roy, M. M., Memmert, D., Frees, A., Radzevick, J., Pretz, J., & Noël, B. (2016). Rumination and performance in dynamic, team sport. Frontiers in Psychology, 6(2016), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02016

Russell, S., Jenkins, D. G., Halson, S. L., & Kelly, V. G. (2022). Mental fatigue increases across a 16-week pre-season in elite female athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25(4), 356-361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2021.12.002

Sansone, P., Russell, S., Longo, C., Polverari, D., & Roelands, B. (2026). Exploring the relationship between mental fatigue and injury occurrence in sport: Preliminary evidence from a male semi-professional basketball team. Sports, 14(4), 148. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14040148

Schinke, R. J., Li, Y., & Quartiroli, A. (2026). Elite athlete mental health: An international society of sport psychology east-west perspective. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 24(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2025.2607198

Stambulova, N. B., Ryba, T. V., & Henriksen, K. (2021). Career development and transitions of athletes: The international society of sport psychology position stand revisited. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19(4), 524-550. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2020.1737836

Steinberg, L. (2005). Cognitive and affective development in adolescence. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(2), 69-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2004.12.005

SurveyMonkey (2025, December 15). Sample size calculator. https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/sample-size-calculator/

Taylor, J. L., Amann, M., Duchateau, J., Meeusen, R., & Rice, C. L. (2016). Neural contributions to muscle fatigue: From the brain to the muscle and back again. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(11), 2294-2306. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000923

Uzun, R. N., Özkan, R., & İmamoğlu, O. (2025). An investigation into athletes’ perceived mental fatigue awareness. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Training Sciences, 11(4), 402-407. https://doi.org/10.18826/useeabd.1819487

van Cutsem, J., Marcora, S., De Pauw, K., Bailey, S., Meeusen, R., & Roelands, B. (2017). The effects of mental fatigue on physical performance: A systematic review. Sports Medicine, 47(8), 1569-1588. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0672-0

Whitmer, A. J., & Gotlib, I. H. (2013). An attentional scope model of rumination. Psychological Bulletin, 139(5), 1036-1061. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030923

Wu, C. H., Zhao, Y. D., Yin, F. Q., Yi, Y., Geng, L., & Xu, X. (2024). Mental fatigue and sports performance of athletes: Theoretical explanation, influencing factors, and intervention methods. Behavioral Sciences, 14(12), 1125. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121125

Xu, G., Yang, X., Zhang, Q., & Li, C. (2025). The impact of athlete burnout on academic burnout among college athletes: A multiple mediation model based on emotion regulation and sleep. Frontiers in Psychology, 16(1669344), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1669344

Yılmaz, B. H., Yetim, D., Özdemir, M., Üzer, Y., & Gül, E. (2024). Sporcularda ruminasyon ile bilişsel esneklik arasındaki ilişki. Yalova Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 3(1), 127-139. https://izlik.org/JA85XL85LX

Yılmaz, T., & Mayda, M. H. (2024). Aktif spor yapan üniversite öğrencilerinin ruminasyon düzeylerinin incelenmesi. Gaziantep Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 9(2), 194-205. https://doi.org/10.31680/gaunjss.1576549

Zareian, B., Wilson, J., & LeMoult, J. (2021). Cognitive control and ruminative responses to stress: Understanding the different facets of cognitive control. Frontiers in Psychology, 12(2021), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660062

Published

2026-06-15

How to Cite

Vaizoglu, Z., Turkoglu, F., Gacar, A., & Aydemir, I. (2026). Investigating the Relationship Between Mental Fatigue and Competition Rumination in Female Taekwondo Athletes. Sportif Bakış: Spor Ve Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 13(2), 231–247. https://doi.org/10.70736/spjses.349