Mind-body effects of mindfulness-based training in athletes: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.
Carmelo Campo, Filippo Cellucci, Giacomo Treggiari, Giorgio Alfredo Spedicato, Stefano Lasaponara, David Conversi
Frontiers in Psychology February 19, 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1755043 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 46 |
| Population | Athletes |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based training |
| Duration | 8-week intervention, assessed before (T0) and after (T1) treatment |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Muscle flexibility Hrv Pulmonary function Athletes Interoceptive awareness Cognitive inhibition |
| Key findings | In 46 athletes randomly assigned to 8 weeks of mindfulness-based training or a waitlist control, the training group showed statistically significant improvements in interoceptive awareness and the SDNN parameter of heart rate variability compared with controls. No significant effects were reported for cognitive inhibition, pulmonary function, or muscle flexibility. The authors present these as preliminary results that partially support holistic health benefits of mindfulness in sports. |
Abstract
Introduction: Previous research has shown that mindfulness practice is associated with a range of indicators related to better mental and cognitive health. Emerging evidence also supports benefits for physical health, although these findings are not yet comprehensive. Consequently, this practice is attracting increasing interest in sports, despite the current lack of extensive research and limited application in this context.
Methods: This study analyzed the effects of an 8-week mindfulness-based training in athletes on several psychological and physiological variables that may influence sports performance. Forty-six athletes were recruited and randomly assigned to a study group, which joined the mindfulness-based training, or a waitlist control group. Levels of interoceptive awareness, cognitive inhibition, heart rate variability (HRV), pulmonary function, and muscle flexibility were assessed before (T0) and after (T1) the treatment.
Results: Results showed statistically significant improvements in interoceptive awareness and SDNN parameter of HRV in the study group compared to the control group following the treatment.
Discussion: These preliminary results partially support the holistic health benefits of mindfulness and encourage the integration of mindfulness techniques into sports training. Future research should explore these findings in larger samples and for longer treatment durations.
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 2
- Mindfulness and athlete burnout among olympic combat sport athletes: the mediating role of athlete self-compassion and the moderating role of emotion regulation. Frontiers in Psychology September 3, 2026
- The impact of mindfulness intervention on emotion regulation in athletes: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology July 23, 2026
Cites 20
- Long-term mindfulness training is associated with reliable differences in resting respiration rate Scientific Reports June 7, 2016
- The impact of a brief mindfulness training on interoception: A randomized controlled trial PLoS One September 7, 2022
- Clinically relevant effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in individuals with asthma Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health September 14, 2022
- Effect of Brief Mindfulness Meditation Interventions on Heart Rate Variability in Adults: A Systematic Review. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback July 26, 2025
- A meta-analysis of the intervention effect of mindfulness training on athletes’ performance Frontiers in Psychology May 31, 2024
and 15 more in the library