A systematic review of Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) research identified 41 studies, but only two had low risk of bias; most were rated moderate or high risk. Because of this and wide variation in outcomes and designs, reliable point estimates were not possible. Findings are encouraging, especially for mindfulness, anxiety, and emotion regulation, but insufficient rigorous investigations exist to draw robust conclusions about MSPE's efficacy. The review recommends future researchers use randomization or quasi-experimental designs, pre-registration, collaboration between practitioners and researchers, and detailed implementation reporting to improve rigor.
Collegiate athletes who completed a mindfulness-based program (Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement, MSPE) reported fewer depressive symptoms, fewer difficulties with emotion regulation, and better self-rated sport performance compared to a control group. At a six-week follow-up, they also showed increased mindfulness and sport enjoyment, and the improvements in emotion regulation were sustained. Readiness to practice mindfulness before the program did not predict changes, but higher readiness after the program was linked to greater mindfulness, life satisfaction, sport enjoyment, and more engagement with the practice. The findings suggest that readiness after an intervention may matter more than readiness beforehand for long-term mindfulness practice and outcomes.
A 6-week Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) training program reduced sport anxiety and improved satisfaction with attention/emotion regulation and physical performance in female college student-athletes. Older athletes (third and fourth year) improved more in sport mindfulness and reported more frequent mindfulness practice during workouts, team practice, and competitions than younger athletes (first and second year). Age predicted reductions in sport anxiety and improvements in dispositional mindful acceptance. Participants rated MSPE as moderately to highly successful in promoting change in anxiety reduction, focus, and the ability to let things go.