The effect of mindfulness training on the psychological state of high-level athletes: Meta analysis and system evaluation research.

A meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials involving 1,108 elite athletes found that mindfulness training significantly improves mindfulness, psychological resilience, flow state, and reduces sports anxiety, sports depression, and psychological fatigue, but does not significantly affect subjective well-being. The analysis identified that a 7-week intervention with sessions over 60 minutes once per week was most effective for mindfulness. Different mindfulness programs (MAC, MAIC, MBSP, MT, MBSR) showed varying benefits for specific outcomes, such as MAC for resilience and MBSR for depression. The findings suggest that mindfulness training positively impacts elite athletes' psychological state, with optimal methods and durations depending on the targeted outcome.

Study at a glance

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.