Mindfulness interventions can help injured athletes psychologically adapt by reducing anxiety and depression, increasing pain tolerance, and improving well-being, though their effect on physiological recovery is minimal and applicability may be limited to specific injuries. The review calls for standardized protocols and notes gaps in optimal dosage, timing, and potential adverse effects.
A scoping review mapped the existing literature on mantra meditation in sport contexts, clarifying its conceptual distinctions from self-talk. Six articles were included after screening 17,670 records. Athletes reported using mantras to regulate attention, maintain pace or rhythm, cope with fatigue and psychological stress, and support spiritual meaning and mental well-being. The limited number of studies highlights the early stage of research; further high-quality empirical work is needed to clarify mechanisms and effectiveness of mantra meditation as both a mental training and coping strategy in sport.