The effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on cognitive skills in young soccer players
Seyed Mohammad Zadkhosh, Hassan Gharayagh Zandi, Majid Ghorbannejad
Exercise and Quality of Life January 3, 2025 DOI: 10.31382/eqol.190601 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThis study tested whether Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) training improves mental skills in young soccer players. Thirty players aged 17–20 were split into an experimental group of 15 who attended eight weekly two-hour MBCT sessions and a control group of 15 who received no intervention. Using the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (OMSAT-3) before and after, the authors report significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group on all measured subscales: focusing, refocusing, imagery, mental practice, and competition planning. They conclude that MBCT is appropriate for improving cognitive skills in soccer players.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Young soccer players aged 17 to 20 in provincial competitions |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | Eight weekly sessions of 2 hours each |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognitive skills Soccer players |
| Key finding | MBCT training significantly improved all measured mental skill subscales (focusing, refocusing, imagery, mental practice, competition planning) in the experimental group compared to the control group. |
Abstract
TThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy training on mental skills of young soccer players. For this purpose, 30 soccer players were assigned to an experimental group of 15 players (intervention based on Mindfulness) and control group of 15 players that participations’ age ranged from 17 to 20 years old in provincial competitions in the year 2017-18. Athletes in the experimental group participated in MBCT course over eight weekly sessions of 2 h each. The control group did not receive any intervention. Before and after interventions Ottawa mental skills assessment tool questionnaire (Omsat-3) were used to collect data. The results of MANOVA showed that significant improvement in all sub-scales scores; Focusing (P=0.001), Refocusing (P=0.001), Imagery (P=0.001), Mental practice (P=0.001), and Competition planning (P=0.001) in the experimental group than control group. According to these findings, we concluded that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy training is appropriate to improve the level of cognitive skills of soccer players.