Effects of group mindfulness intervention on high-level distance runners: a quasi-experimental study.
Bence Kelemen, Renátó Tóth, Ottó Benczenleitner, László Tóth
Frontiers in sports and active living January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1556404 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA six-week Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program adapted for elite distance runners improved flow and cognitive anxiety, with no changes in a control group. Twenty Hungarian national and international-level athletes participated; the experimental group of ten showed significant gains across most psychological measures, including mindfulness and emotion regulation. The structured, group-based format offers a practical alternative to traditional sports psychology for high-performance athletes.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Hungarian national and international-level elite distance runners |
| Intervention | Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) |
| Duration | Six-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Competitive anxiety Distance running Emotion regulation Flow |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key finding | The adapted MSPE program significantly improved flow and cognitive anxiety in elite distance runners compared to a control group. |
Abstract
This study explored the impact of the Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program, adapted for elite distance runners. Twenty Hungarian national and international-level athletes participated in a quasi-experimental design. The experimental group (n = 10) completed a six-week MSPE intervention, while the control group (n = 10) received no mental training. Psychological constructs, including flow, competitive anxiety, mindfulness, and emotion regulation, were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results showed significant improvements in the experimental group across most variables, particularly flow and cognitive anxiety, with no changes in the control group. These findings highlight the effectiveness of a group-based mindfulness program in enhancing mental well-being and performance in elite runners. The scalable, structured format offers a practical alternative to traditional sports psychology approaches for high-performance athletes.