Effects of "Mindfulness Acceptance Insight Commitment" Training on Flow State and Mental Health of College Swimmers: A Randomized Controlled Experimental Study.
Jun-Hui Ning, Qing-Wei Hao, Da-Cai Huang
Frontiers in Psychology 2022 Retracted DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.799103 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 47 |
| Population | College swimmers from a regular university |
| Intervention | Mindfulness acceptance insight commitment (MAIC) training |
| Duration | Pre-test, post-test, and continuity test |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | College swimmers Flow state Mental health Mindfulness training Randomized controlled trial |
| Citations | 16 |
| Post-publication review | 2 comments on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active June 2026 |
| Key findings | MAIC mindfulness training significantly improved mindfulness, flow state, and mental health in college swimmers, with benefits largely maintained at follow-up. |
Abstract
This research explores the intervention effect of the mindfulness acceptance insight commitment (MAIC) training program on the mindfulness level, flow state, and mental health of college swimmers. A sample of 47 college swimmers from a regular university was recruited and randomly divided into two groups before the intervention. Independent variables between groups are psychological training mode (MAIC training/no training), and the independent variable within group was time (pre-test, post-test, and continuity test). The dependent variables are mindfulness level, flow state, and mental health (anxiety, depression, training, and competition satisfaction). Results show that after the intervention of MAIC training, the mindfulness level of athletes' flow state has been significantly improved, whereas anxiety and depression significantly decreased. In addition, the satisfaction with training and competition significantly improved. In the continuous stage after the intervention, the mindfulness level, flow state, and mental health of athletes are still significantly higher than those in the pre-test. The comparison of the post-test and continuity test show no significant differences in the mindfulness level, flow state, depression, and training and competition satisfaction of athletes. Still, the anxiety level shows an upward trend with a significant difference. This study demonstrates that the MAIC mindfulness training program can significantly improve the mindfulness level, flow state, anxiety, depression, and training and competition satisfaction of college swimmers with a good continuity effect. Thus, the athletes' sports experience can be improved, and good psychological benefits can be attained.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Effect of yoga and mindfulness on psychological correlates in young athletes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 2023
- Mindfulness-based interventions for competitive anxiety in athletes: the moderating role of control type-Preliminary evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology May 28, 2026
- The relationship between China university basketball association athletes' mindfulness, self-efficacy in sports training, and training competition satisfaction: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. BMC Psychology February 2, 2026
- The Impact of Yoga on Athletes' Mental Well-Being: An Experimental Study. Cureus August 1, 2024
- Mindfulness en deportistas de resistencia: beneficios para el bienestar psicológico y el rendimiento deportivo – Una revisión sistemática Cuadernos de Psicologia del Deporte April 22, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 5
- Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Assessment January 27, 2006
- Mindfulness training enhances flow state and mental health among baseball players in Taiwan Psychology Research and Behavior Management December 1, 2018
- Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Sports-Anxiety, Pessimism, and Flow in Competitive Cyclists. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being March 2016
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analytic Review Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology April 1, 2010
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic pain conditions: variation in treatment outcomes and role of home meditation practice. Journal of Psychosomatic Research 2010