Mindfulness and self-regulation are inversely linked to impulsive behavior in athletes, while social evaluation anxiety is positively linked. Self-regulation and social evaluation anxiety mediate the relationship between mindfulness and impulsive behavior. A survey of 403 athletes from Chinese youth training centers, universities, sports academies, and clubs used structural equation modeling to confirm these associations. The findings suggest that mindfulness meditation in competitive settings may reduce social evaluation anxiety and improve self-regulation, thereby decreasing impulsive behavior and supporting psychological health.
Among 315 novice athletes in Changsha, China, mindfulness was negatively correlated with cognitive anxiety, while flow and self-rated performance also showed negative links to cognitive anxiety. Cognitive anxiety mediated the relationship between flow and self-rated performance, and together flow and cognitive anxiety acted as a chain mediator between mindfulness and self-rated performance. The findings suggest that for novice athletes, flow and reduced cognitive anxiety may be key mechanisms through which mindfulness improves how they perceive their own performance. Coaches can use mindfulness practices to help novices in suboptimal competitive states enhance performance perception, aiding their transition to elite roles.