The impact of mindfulness meditation on changes in brain cortical activity in a competitive swimmer: A case study
Joanna Budzis, Marek Wiecheć, Zbigniew Śliwiński
Fizjoterapia Polska December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.56984/8zg020czp48 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 18-year-old swimmer from the Polish National Team |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | 7-day mindfulness meditation training |
| Measures | 19-point QEEG |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | After a 7-day mindfulness meditation training, the swimmer showed changes in SMR, Beta, and Beta2 wave values in temporal, frontal, and central cortex areas, which the authors suggest may have improved emotional regulation and stress management during the European Junior Championships. They propose the approach could inform athlete preparation but note further research is needed. |
Abstract
Mindfulness techniques have a beneficial impact on mental health and everyday functioning, including reducing anxiety and stress and improving emotional regulation. Research methods that examine brain activity as well as functional and structural changes contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms behind mindfulness techniques, which are also applicable in sports. EEG studies and quantitative QEEG analysis, used to measure cortical activity, can be applied in assessing the effectiveness of various forms of mental training and their long-term effects on high-performance athletes. In the conducted experiment, a 19-point QEEG study showed changes in values of selected brain waves at specific points of the cerebral cortex, measured before and after completing a 7-day mindfulness meditation training. The presented case study of a swimmer from the Polish National Team (18 years old) shows changes in values of Sensorymotor Rhythm (SMR), Beta, and Beta2 waves in the temporal, frontal, and central areas of the brain’s cortex after the meditation training, which may have had a positive impact on better emotional regulation and stress management during the European Junior Championships. The presented training forms and measurements of their effectiveness can form the basis for preparing athletes for competitions. Further research in this direction is, however, necessary to confirm these observations.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain sources of EEG gamma frequency during volitionally meditation-induced, altered states of consciousness, and experience of the self Advanced meditator | 2001 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Mindfulness Meditation for Alcohol Relapse Prevention: A Feasibility Pilot Study Adult alcohol-dependent graduates of an intensive outpatient program | 2008 | Prospective case series | n = 19 |
| How does it feel to lack a sense of boundaries? A case study of a long-term mindfulness meditator. A single long-term mindfulness practitioner (S) with 40 years of practice in... | 2015 | Qualitative case study | n = 1 |
| Loving‐kindness meditation to enhance recovery from negative symptoms of schizophrenia Individuals suffering from schizophrenia-spectrum disorders with persistent negative... | 2009 | Case study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Problem Gambling A female problem gambler | 2011 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- 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
- Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects Psychological Inquiry October 19, 2007
- EEG-based investigation of effects of mindfulness meditation training on state and trait by deep learning and traditional machine learning Frontiers in Human Neuroscience August 31, 2023
- Impact of short- and long-term mindfulness meditation training on amygdala reactivity to emotional stimuli. Neuroimage July 7, 2018
and 1 more in the library