The relationship between China university basketball association athletes' mindfulness, self-efficacy in sports training, and training competition satisfaction: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.
Yanlin Zhao, Junwei Liu, Xiaobo Yang, Sumei Wu
BMC Psychology February 2, 2026 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-026-04069-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey and randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 716 |
| Population | China University Basketball Association (CUBA) athletes |
| Intervention | Mindfulness training |
| Duration | Eight-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Athletes Training competition satisfaction |
| Key findings | Mindfulness positively predicts self-efficacy in sports training and training competition satisfaction, with self-efficacy partially mediating this relationship, and an eight-week mindfulness intervention significantly improves these outcomes compared to standard training. |
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship and underlying mechanisms among mindfulness, self-efficacy in sports training, and training competition satisfaction among China University Basketball Association (CUBA) athletes through cross-sectional surveys and longitudinal experimental research. These findings provide valuable insights into the healthy development of college athletes. Study 1 was a cross-sectional study. A total of 684 CUBA athletes were surveyed using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the College Student Physical Education Learning Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Training Competition Satisfaction Scale. Correlation and regression analyses were performed on the variables, and the bootstrap method was used to test the mediating effect. Study 2 adopted a 2 (experimental conditions) × 2 (time points) mixed experimental design, randomly assigning 32 CUBA athletes to either a mindfulness training group or a control group (16 people in each group). The experimental group underwent an eight-week mindfulness intervention. In contrast, the control group simultaneously received standard technical training and underwent psychological assessments before and after the training. In Study 1, the mindfulness level of CUBA athletes had a significant positive predictive effect on their self-efficacy in sports training and training competition satisfaction (p < .001). The self-efficacy in sports training partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and training competition satisfaction, with an indirect effect value of 0.210, accounting for 45.3% of the total effect. In Study 2, compared to the control group, the mindfulness level, self-efficacy in sports training, and training competition satisfaction of athletes in the mindfulness training group significantly improved over time (p < .001). Mindfulness can have a direct effect on training competition satisfaction, as well as an indirect effect through self-efficacy in sports training, making it an effective intervention method to enhance motor psychological skills.
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
Cites 10
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mechanisms of mindfulness Journal of Clinical Psychology December 29, 2005
- 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 long-term mindfulness meditation training on attentional capacity in professional male fencer athletes. Scientific Reports April 15, 2025
- Flow Training Program: Mindfulness, Decision Making, and Mental Well-Being of Young and Adult Elite Handball Athletes. Sports June 7, 2024
and 5 more in the library