Effects of group mindfulness intervention on high-level distance runners: a quasi-experimental study.

Summary

Mindfulness training significantly enhances performance in elite distance runners. In a study involving 20 Hungarian athletes, those who completed a six-week Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement program (n = 10) showed marked improvements in flow and cognitive anxiety, while the control group experienced no changes. Specifically, participants reported increased mindfulness and better emotion regulation. These findings suggest that a structured mindfulness approach can effectively boost mental well-being and performance, offering a valuable alternative to traditional sport psychology methods for high-performance athletes.

Abstract

This study explored the impact of the Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program, adapted for elite distance runners. Twenty Hungarian national and international-level athletes participated in a quasi-experimental design. The experimental group (n = 10) completed a six-week MSPE intervention, while the control group (n = 10) received no mental training. Psychological constructs, including flow, competitive anxiety, mindfulness, and emotion regulation, were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results showed significant improvements in the experimental group across most variables, particularly flow and cognitive anxiety, with no changes in the control group. These findings highlight the effectiveness of a group-based mindfulness program in enhancing mental well-being and performance in elite runners. The scalable, structured format offers a practical alternative to traditional sports psychology approaches for high-performance athletes.

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