Brain Type, Playing Position, and Mental Toughness in Amateur Soccer Players (BTP-MT)

July 1, 2026 updated by: Görkem Açar, Istanbul Gelisim University

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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

270

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Istanbul
      • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34290
        • Istanbul Gelisim University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

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.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • 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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
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).
Other: Observational Assessment
No intervention was administered. Participants underwent assessment of the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ).
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).
Other: Observational Assessment
No intervention was administered. Participants underwent assessment of the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ).
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).
Other: Observational Assessment
No intervention was administered. Participants underwent assessment of the second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and completed the Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
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.
Baseline (single assessment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
2D:4D Digit Ratio Classification
Time Frame: Baseline (single assessment)
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.
Baseline (single assessment)
Playing Position Classification
Time Frame: Baseline (single assessment)
Participants were categorized according to their playing positions (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, or striker) to evaluate differences in mental toughness.
Baseline (single assessment)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Istanbul Gelisim University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 28, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 25, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

April 25, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

July 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

July 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 1, 2026

Last Verified

July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • PAU-SBS-2023-07

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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