Exploring the influence of track and field athletes’ self-management on athletic performance: the chain mediating role of psychological resilience and competitive spirit

In the high-stakes arena of modern competitive sports, the difference between a podium finish and falling short often extends far beyond physical conditioning and technical prowess. A comprehensive new study published in Frontiers in Psychology sheds light on the internal mechanisms that drive success, revealing that self-management, psychological resilience, and competitive spirit form a powerful sequential pathway governing athletic performance. Conducted across multiple provinces and sports clubs in China, the research offers a deep dive into how behavioral regulation translates into tangible competitive outcomes for track and field athletes.

The Intensive Demands of Track and Field

Track and field is characterized by prolonged training cycles, grueling physical loads, intense competitive pressures, and inevitable performance fluctuations. Historically, sports science heavily prioritized physical preparation, biomechanics, and technical drills. However, contemporary sports psychology places increasing emphasis on the cognitive and behavioral strategies athletes use to navigate these stressors.

Effective self-management enables competitors to actively regulate their daily routines, training behaviors, physical recovery, and psychological states. Without structured self-regulation, the cumulative burden of repetitive high-intensity training can lead to burnout, physical fatigue, and emotional distress. Recognizing this vulnerability, a research team led by scholars from Liaocheng University set out to investigate how daily self-regulation interacts with deeper psychological mechanisms to influence overall athletic performance.

Methodology and Participant Demographics

To explore these dynamics, the researchers employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey design utilizing non-probability convenience sampling. Data collection took place across several major Chinese provinces—including Shandong, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Henan, Hebei, Hunan, and Hubei—as well as through specialized athletic clubs. Participants were recruited from high schools, sports academies, and professional training teams using online survey distribution tools.

After rigorous data screening to eliminate incomplete entries, patterned responses, and duplicate submissions, the final dataset comprised 772 valid questionnaires, yielding a high effective response rate of 91.1%. The demographic breakdown revealed a predominantly male cohort, accounting for 679 participants (88.0%), while female participants totaled 93 (12.0%). In terms of sport specialization, the vast majority were sprinters (685 participants, or 88.7%), with long-distance runners comprising the remaining 87 participants (11.3%). Education levels spanned high school (77.3%) and university (22.7%), and athletic classifications ranged from elite Level 1 competitors to non-ranked club members.

Standardized, validated psychometric instruments were used to measure the core variables: the Athletes Self-Management Questionnaire (ASMQ), the Resilience Quotient Test (RQT), the Competitive Spirit Scale (CSS), and the Athletic Performance Scale (APS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) via SPSS and AMOS 31.0 confirmed the structural validity and internal consistency of the scales, with Cronbach’s alpha values comfortably exceeding accepted threshold standards.

Direct Effects and Mediating Pathways

The empirical findings validate the central hypothesis that self-management acts as a fundamental catalyst for athletic success. The structural equation model demonstrated that self-management exerts a significant direct positive effect on athletic performance ($beta = 0.234, p < 0.05$). Athletes who proactively plan their training, monitor their physical recovery, and regulate their mental states are demonstrably more likely to achieve higher performance-related outcomes.

Beyond this direct relationship, the study uncovered vital mediating pathways involving psychological resilience and competitive spirit. Psychological resilience—defined as the capacity to maintain adaptive functioning, emotional stability, and goal persistence under stress—served as a powerful single mediator ($beta = 0.203, p < 0.05$). Furthermore, competitive spirit, which reflects an athlete’s drive to pursue victory and outcompete rivals, acted as an independent mediating bridge ($beta = 0.080, p < 0.05$).

Crucially, the study established a significant chain mediating pathway (self-management $rightarrow$ psychological resilience $rightarrow$ competitive spirit $rightarrow$ athletic performance) with a standardized effect of $0.141$ ($p < 0.001$). This indicates that strong self-management practices first fortify an athlete’s resilience, enabling them to view competitive pressure as a challenge rather than a threat. This enhanced psychological adaptation subsequently fuels a stronger competitive drive, which culminates in superior execution on the track.

Broader Implications for Coaching and Training

The implications of this research extend far beyond academic theory, offering actionable insights for coaches, sports administrators, and training programs. Traditional coaching regimens frequently focus on physical milestones, time trials, and technical corrections. However, the findings suggest that neglecting an athlete’s self-regulation and psychological makeup leaves critical performance potential untapped.

Sports organizations are encouraged to integrate psychological skills training directly into daily schedules. Practical strategies include implementing structured training logs, establishing phased performance goals, conducting systematic recovery monitoring, and utilizing pressure-simulation drills. By actively teaching athletes how to manage their behaviors and bounce back from setbacks, coaches can cultivate the resilience and competitive hunger necessary to thrive in elite environments.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Ultimately, this study underscores that athletic excellence is a multidimensional construct rooted in behavioral discipline and psychological fortitude. While the cross-sectional nature of the survey and its reliance on self-reported metrics suggest that future research should incorporate longitudinal tracking and objective performance data, the core takeaway remains clear. For track and field athletes striving to break personal barriers and conquer competitive pressure, mastering the self is just as critical as mastering the stride.