The effect of mindfulness training on the psychological state of high-level athletes: Meta analysis and system evaluation research.
Jianjun Zhang, Jinxiu Sun, Yuchuan Zhou, Lihong Gong, Sen Huang
Journal of sports sciences March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2468997
Summary
Mindfulness training significantly enhances the mental state of elite athletes, improving mindfulness, resilience, and flow while reducing anxiety and depression. An analysis of 32 studies involving 1,108 athletes revealed that interventions lasting at least 7 weeks with sessions over 60 minutes were most effective. Specifically, MAC excelled in boosting psychological resilience, while MBSP and MT helped alleviate anxiety. Interestingly, subjective well-being showed no improvement. These findings underscore the value of tailored mindfulness approaches in optimizing athletes' psychological performance and overall well-being.
Abstract
To investigate the impact of mindfulness training on mindfulness, psychological resilience, flow state, subjective well-being, sports anxiety, sports depression, and psychological fatigue among elite athletes through a meta-analysis. Databases like PubMed, Web of Science, and others were searched for randomized controlled trials up to October 31, 2024. Included studies compared mindfulness training interventions to non-mindfulness training in elite athletes. The outcome indicators were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 software. Among 6917 articles, 32 studies with 1108 athletes (560 experimental, 548 control) were included. Mindfulness training significantly improved mindfulness (p0.05). MAC, MAIC, MBSP, and MT were effective for mindfulness. The best intervention duration was 7 weeks, with sessions lasting over 60 minutes once a week. MAC was best for psychological resilience. MBSP, MT, and MAC improved flow state. MBSP and MT alleviated anxiety, while MBSR was effective for depression. MAIC training mitigated psychological fatigue. Mindfulness training positively impacts elite athletes' psychological state, enhancing mindfulness, resilience, flow, and alleviating anxiety, depression, and psychological fatigue, but not subjective well-being. Optimal methods and durations vary by outcome.