Mental energy and psychological flow in sport: a perspective beyond physical preparation

BACKGROUND: The present study examines the effect of mental energy levels on the psychological flow experience among athletes. METHODS: In this regard, a total of 392 athletes, consisting of 184 female and 208 male volunteers practising different sports, were included in the study. The study was conducted within the framework of a correlational survey model, and a personal information form, the Athletic Mental Energy Scale (AMES), and the Psychological Flow Scale (PFS) were used as data collection tools. Accordingly, Pearson Correlation analysis, Regression analysis, and the independent samples t-test. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in favour of male athletes in the dimensions of confidence, concentration and calmness of the athletic mental energy scale according to the gender variable. Significant differences were determined in favour of those participating in team sports in the concentration and calmness dimensions of the athletic mental energy scale according to the sport type variable. In terms of the sport year variable, a significant relationship was found between the effortless control dimension of the psychological flow scale and the calmness dimension of the athletic mental energy scale. Within the scope of the study, a positive, low-to-moderate level of significant relationship was determined between the dimensions of the athletic mental energy scale and the dimensions of the psychological flow scale. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it can be said that mental energy plays a role in supporting athletes' peak performance and motivation, and is a supportive and empowering factor for the psychological flow experience. It is thought that future studies examining the interaction between psychological flow and mental energy in depth will provide important contributions from both theoretical and practical perspectives.