Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Sport Mental Training Questionnaire (SMTQ) in professional and semi-professional athletes, drawing upon contemporary theoretical frameworks of cognitive–motor simulation.

Methods: In this study, 490 athletes (290 males and 200 females) were selected as the statistical sample. The Sport Mental Training Questionnaire consists of five subscales: basic skills, performance skills, interpersonal skills, self-talk, and mental imagery. To determine test–retest reliability, Confirmatory factor analysis based on structural equation modeling was employed to examine construct validity, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to assess internal consistency, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate temporal reliability. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 18 and LISREL software.

Results: Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total questionnaire was 0.82, indicating satisfactory internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient for test–retest reliability was 0.89, demonstrating appropriate temporal stability. Significant correlations were found between the SMTQ subscales and the criterion measures (P< 0.01), supporting concurrent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the five-factor model of the SMTQ exhibited good fit indices.

Conclusion: The Persian version of the Sport Mental Training Questionnaire demonstrates satisfactory validity and reliability. It can serve as a reliable instrument for sport psychologists and coaches to assess psychological skills in athletes. The confirmation of the factor structure of this questionnaire in an Iranian population not only supports its clinical and research applications but also aligns with contemporary theoretical perspectives in cognitive neuroscience.