The relationship between mental fatigue awareness and effective decision-making levels of athletes: the role of mediating and moderating variables
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, cilt.18, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s13102-025-01525-4
- Dergi Adı: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Decision making, Fatigue, Gender identity, Psychological Well-Being, Sports
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examined the mediating role of psychological well-being and the moderating roles of gender and sport type (individual vs. team) in the relationship between mental fatigue awareness and intrinsic decision-making in 540 Turkish athletes. Research data were collected online via three different measurement tools. Results indicated a significant indirect effect of mental fatigue awareness on intrinsic decision-making through psychological well-being (indirect effect β = −0.087, p <.001), demonstrating partial mediation. Mental fatigue awareness (β = -0.256, p <.05) and sport type (β = 0.232, p <.05) significantly predicted intrinsic decision-making, with team sport athletes exhibiting higher levels. However, the interaction between mental fatigue awareness and sport type was not a significant predictor (β = 0.021, p >.05). Similarly, neither gender (β = 0.083, p >.05) nor the interaction between gender and mental fatigue awareness (β = 0.100, p >.05) significantly predicted intrinsic decision-making. The study contributes to understanding the interplay of mental fatigue awareness and intrinsic decision-making in athletes, considering the influences of gender and sport type. Future studies should employ longitudinal and experimental designs to clarify causality and to evaluate targeted dual-pronged interventions that address both psychological well-being and mental fatigue management.