Mental ToughnessBTP-MTNCT07689513
Brain Type, Playing Position, and Mental Toughness in Amateur Soccer Players
An observational study of Mental Toughness and 2D:4D Digit Ratio, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This observational study aims to investigate the association between brain type, determined by the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio, playing position, and mental toughness among amateur soccer players. A total of 270 licensed amateur soccer players participated in the study. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Mental Toughness, 2D:4D Digit Ratio, Sports Psychology
- What is being tested?
- Observational Assessment
- How many people
- 270 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 28 Mar 2025to 25 Apr 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Study population: Licensed amateur soccer players recruited from amateur soccer clubs in Denizli, Türkiye. Participants represented different playing positions, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and strikers.
Who may be able to join
- Licensed amateur soccer player.
- Aged between 16 and 40 years.
- Currently participating in regular soccer training and competitions.
- Able to understand and complete the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ).
- Provided written informed consent prior to participation.
Who cannot join
- Professional soccer players.
- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders that could affect psychological assessment.
- Upper extremity deformity or injury preventing accurate 2D:4D measurement.
- Incomplete questionnaire or missing study data.
- Declined or withdrew informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Gelisim University
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34290
About this study
Official title: Association Between Brain Type (2D:4D Digit Ratio), Playing Position, and Mental Toughness Among Amateur Soccer Players
This observational study aims to investigate the association between brain type, determined by the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio, playing position, and mental toughness among amateur soccer players. A total of 270 licensed amateur soccer players participated in the study. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), while brain type was determined by measuring the 2D:4D digit ratio. The study examines whether mental toughness differs according to brain type and playing position, providing insight into the neuropsychological characteristics of soccer players and their potential relationship with psychological performance.
- Conditions
- Mental Toughness, 2D:4D Digit Ratio, Sports Psychology, Football
- Being tested
- Observational Assessment
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Observational AssessmentOther
No intervention was administered. Participants underwent assessment of the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Type A Brain | Soccer players classified as Type A brain according to the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Receives: Other: Observational Assessment | |
| Type B Brain | Soccer players classified as Type B brain according to the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Receives: Other: Observational Assessment | |
| Type C Brain | Soccer players classified as Type C brain according to the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). Receives: Other: Observational Assessment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) Total Score
Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), a validated 14-item self-report questionnaire. Total scores range from 14 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater mental toughness. The total score was compared among brain type (Type A, Type B, and Type C) groups and playing positions.
Measured: Baseline (single assessment)
Secondary outcomes (2)
2D:4D Digit Ratio Classification
Brain type was determined by manually measuring the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio of the hands. Participants were classified as Type A, Type B, or Type C according to predefined criteria.
Measured: Baseline (single assessment)
Playing Position Classification
Participants were categorized according to their playing positions (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, or striker) to evaluate differences in mental toughness.
Measured: Baseline (single assessment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jul 2026
- Study start28 Mar 2025
- Primary completion25 Apr 2025
- Study completion25 Apr 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Mental ToughnessStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 270 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Görkem Açar, Istanbul Gelisim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07689513
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PAU-SBS-2023-07
- Acronym
- BTP-MT
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 8 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Association Between Brain Type (2D:4D Digit Ratio), Playing Position, and Mental Toughness Among Amateur Soccer Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07689513
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BTP-MT / PAU-SBS-2023-07
- Conditions
- Mental Toughness, 2D:4D Digit Ratio, Sports Psychology, Football
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 270 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Gelisim UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 28 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 25 Apr 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This observational study aims to investigate the association between brain type, determined by the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio, playing position, and mental toughness among amateur soccer players. A total of 270 licensed amateur soccer players participated in the study. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), while brain type was determined by measuring the 2D:4D digit ratio. The study examines whether mental toughness differs according to brain type and playing position, providing insight into the neuropsychological characteristics of soccer players and their potential relationship with psychological performance.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Type A Brain | – | Other: Observational AssessmentSoccer players classified as Type A brain according to the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). |
| Type B Brain | – | Other: Observational AssessmentSoccer players classified as Type B brain according to the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). |
| Type C Brain | – | Other: Observational AssessmentSoccer players classified as Type C brain according to the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio. Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
- Study population
- Licensed amateur soccer players recruited from amateur soccer clubs in Denizli, Türkiye. Participants represented different playing positions, including goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and strikers.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Licensed amateur soccer player.
- Aged between 16 and 40 years.
- Currently participating in regular soccer training and competitions.
- Able to understand and complete the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ).
- Provided written informed consent prior to participation.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Professional soccer players.
- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders that could affect psychological assessment.
- Upper extremity deformity or injury preventing accurate 2D:4D measurement.
- Incomplete questionnaire or missing study data.
- Declined or withdrew informed consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Observational AssessmentNo intervention was administered. Participants underwent assessment of the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ). | Other | Type A Brain, Type B Brain, Type C Brain |
Primary outcome
Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) Total Score
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment)
Mental toughness was assessed using the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), a validated 14-item self-report questionnaire. Total scores range from 14 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater mental toughness. The total score was compared among brain type (Type A, Type B, and Type C) groups and playing positions.
2 secondary outcomes
2D:4D Digit Ratio Classification
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment)
Playing Position Classification
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Jul 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Mental Toughness and 2D:4D Digit Ratio, run by Istanbul Gelisim University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) Total Score (time frame: Baseline (single assessment)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jul 2026.