A Comparative Study of Motor Abilities and Mental Health Variables among Rural and Urban Athletes
Author : Saurabh Singh Kushwaha and Kuwar Praveen Singh
Abstract :
The present study aimed to compare selected motor abilities and mental health variables—mental toughness and self-esteem—among rural and urban athletes of Bilaspur Chhattisgarh. Eighty athletes (40 rural, 40 urban), aged 16–25 years, were selected using purposive sampling from various training centers. The Barrow Motor Ability Test (BMAT) assessed motor abilities including speed, agility, power. Mental toughness was measured using the Sandip Tiwari (2007) Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), and self-esteem was assessed with Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Results revealed that rural athletes outperformed urban athletes in motor fitness components, particularly agility, explosive power, and speed. In contrast, urban athletes exhibited slightly higher self-esteem (Mean = 28.05) than rural athletes (Mean = 26.50), indicating that training environment, social support, and exposure to competitive sports may enhance psychological confidence. Mental toughness scores were nearly identical between rural (Mean = 179.65) and urban athletes (Mean = 179.10), suggesting that this attribute is influenced more by individual resilience and experience than by area of residence. These findings highlight the differential effects of environmental, training, and socio-cultural factors on physical and psychological characteristics of athletes. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive training programs that develop both motor skills and psychological well-being, recommending enhanced psychological training in rural settings and advanced motor development in urban centers.
Keywords :
Motor Abilities, Barrow Motor Ability Test, Mental Health, Mental Toughness, Self-Esteem, Rural Athletes, Urban Athletes.
