Effect of yoga and mindfulness on psychological correlates in young athletes: A meta-analysis.
Satish Kanaujia, Priyanka Saraswati, Anshu, Narendra Singh, Sanjay Singh, Neetu Kataria, Poonam Yadav
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100725 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Recreational athletes aged 18–45 years, male and female, from different sports |
| Interventions | Yoga Mindfulness practice |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Athletes Sports performance Stress Yoga |
| Citations | 25 |
| Key findings | Yoga and mindfulness practice significantly improve mindfulness, flow state, and reduce stress in athletes, but do not significantly affect attention and awareness, action and acceptance, or anxiety. |
Abstract
This meta-analysis planned to assess the impact of yoga and mindfulness practice in reducing stress and anxiety to improve athletes' sports performance. Several databases were electronically searched for eligible articles till September 2022. Participants aged 18-45 yrs, male and female, and recreational athletes from different sports were included. Athletes' stress, competitive anxiety, and sports performance were measured. The mean difference or standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval was calculated in RevMan software 5.4. The fixed effect model was applied to test the statistical significance difference and heterogeneity (p < 0.05). The GRADE pro evidence was also created to assess the quality of evidence. Results were analyzed with pooled data from fifteen articles. Forest plots showed an overall significant effect of yoga and mindfulness on Mindfulness [Z = 4.13 (p < 0.0001)] [(I2 = 48%), MD -2.6, (95% CI, -3.85, -1.37)] and flow state [Z = 9.49 (p < 0.00001)] [(I2 = 85%), SMD 3.13, (95% CI, 2.48, 3.77)]. The insignificant effects were noted on attention and awareness [Z = 1.51 (p = 0.13)] [(I2 = 25%), SMD -0.26, (95% CI, -0.60, 0.80)], and action and acceptance [Z = 0.43 (p = 0.67)] [(I2 = 0%), MD 0.20, (95% CI, -0.69, 1.08)]. We also observed a significant effect for the comparison of stress [Z = 6.56 (p < 0.00001)] [(I2 = 76%), SMD -0.74, (95% CI, -0.97, 0.52)] and an insignificant effect for comparing anxiety [Z = 1.62 (p = 0.11)] [(I2 = 14%), SMD -0.31, (95% CI, -0.69, 0.07)]. The findings of this meta-analysis provides valuable insights to the beneficial or complementary effects of yoga and mindfulness on athletes' psychological health and sports performance.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Impact of mindfulness-based interventions on sports performance and mental health: An umbrella review. Journal of exercise science and fitness October 1, 2025
- An Investigation of the Effects of Yoga on the Psychological Well-Being of Young Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus June 1, 2025
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Enhancing Psychological Well-Being in Athletes: A Scoping Review of Randomised Controlled Trials Healthcare September 8, 2026
- Associations of Yoga as a Mind-Body Exercise and Its Components with Spiritual and Subjective Well-Being: Cross-Sectional Evidence for Potential Distress Prevention. Sports January 4, 2026
- Enhancing psychological performance and basketball skills: a comparative study of elite athletes and college recreational players after an 8-week mindfulness intervention. Frontiers in Psychology April 22, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 9
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Effects of "Mindfulness Acceptance Insight Commitment" Training on Flow State and Mental Health of College Swimmers: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study. Frontiers in Psychology 2022
- Effects of Mindfulness for Performance Programme on Actual Performance in Ecological Sport Context: Two Studies in Basketball and Table Tennis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health October 10, 2022
- Mindfulness training enhances flow state and mental health among baseball players in Taiwan Psychology Research and Behavior Management December 1, 2018
and 4 more in the library