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Introduction: This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate the impact of a six-week basketball-specific individual skills development program on mental toughness and competitive anxiety among young professional male basketball players competing in organized leagues. Mental toughness and anxiety are critical psychological factors that influence athletic performance, particularly in high-pressure sports like basketball. The study sought to bridge the gap in existing research by examining how individualized training programs can simultaneously enhance mental resilience and reduce anxiety levels during the competitive season. Methods: = 17.93, SD = 0.75), all of whom were officially registered players competing under club contracts and receiving financial compensation, were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent a six-week tailored training program designed to enhance position-specific skills, while the control group participated in regular team training. Psychological assessments, including the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ-14) and the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT-A), were conducted before and after the intervention to measure changes in mental toughness and anxiety levels. Statistical analyses, including two-factor ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests, were used to evaluate the data. Results: < 0.05). Effect sizes indicated moderate to large improvements in psychological outcomes, suggesting that the individualized skills development program effectively enhanced mental resilience and reduced anxiety among participants. Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of tailored training programs in fostering psychological resilience and reducing anxiety in basketball players. The results align with previous research emphasizing the role of structured, individualized training in improving mental toughness and managing competitive anxiety. The study underscores the need for coaches to integrate psychological skill development into training regimens, particularly during the competitive season, to optimize both performance and mental wellbeing. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that a six-week basketball-specific individual skills development program enhances players' mental toughness and reduces sport competition anxiety. The findings highlight the effectiveness of personalized training programs in improving psychological performance, providing valuable insights for coaches and sports psychologists.
Yazıcı et al. (2026) studied this question.