ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study investigates the relationships between sports mental toughness, physical exertion, medication efficacy, and perceived efficacy in patient-physician interaction on subjective sport performance satisfaction, aiming to uncover how these variables influence athletes’ performance in the context of Saudi Arabian sports environment. Method: The research was conducted among 212 provincial and national level athletes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire using validated scales for the constructs. The analysis was carried out using Stata-SEM to assess the direct and indirect effects of the variables. Findings: The results indicate that sports mental toughness significantly impacts subjective sport performance satisfaction, both directly and indirectly through the mediating role of physical exertion and medication efficacy. Furthermore, perceived efficacy in patient-physician interaction was found to moderate the relationship between sports mental toughness and subjective performance satisfaction. All hypotheses were accepted, confirming the critical role of mental toughness and related variables in shaping performance outcomes. Originality/Implications: This study adds to the growing literature on athlete performance by integrating mental toughness, physical exertion, and medication efficacy as key determinants of satisfaction. The findings offer practical implications for enhancing athlete well-being and performance through targeted health interventions.