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From mind to marksmanship: Harnessing brief mindfulness meditation to enhance attention control and performance in novice athletes

Jiahui Guo, Xiao-Na Zhou, Chen-Wei Huang, Ting Hu, Min-Yuan Wang, Chun-Lei Jiang

Journal of Applied Sport Psychology May 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/10413200.2025.2495569 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 119
Population Novice athletes
Dose 15 minutes daily
Duration 18 days
Topics Meditation
Key findings Brief mindfulness meditation (15 minutes daily for 18 days) improved novice athletes' shooting performance, attention control, and mindfulness while reducing stress and anxiety; change in attention control was the most influential predictor of post-intervention shooting performance.

Abstract

Abstract Training in mindfulness meditation has been linked to enhanced cognitive and athletic performance. The current study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of brief mindfulness meditation (BMM) on the shooting performance of novice athletes. One hundred and nineteen novice athletes were recruited and assigned to either a BMM group or a control group. The mindfulness intervention consisted of a daily 15-minute mindfulness meditation training (JW2016) for 18 days before shooting practice, while a control group engaged in business as usual. Participants’ mindfulness level, attention control level, subjective sleep quality, perceived stress, and state anxiety were measured before and after the intervention. The shooting performance of both groups was assessed after an 18-day meditation training programme. Results showed that brief meditation training can improve shooting performance, attention control, and mindfulness level, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. Regression analyses identified change in attention control as the most influential predictor of post-intervention shooting performance. This study has important implications for using BMM as a performance-enhancing intervention in sports, particularly for novice athletes. Lay Summary This study demonstrates that brief mindfulness meditation significantly improves novice athletes’ shooting performance by enhancing attention control, sleep quality, and reducing stress and anxiety, highlighting attention improvement as crucial for performance enhancement. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Incorporate brief mindfulness meditation into regular training routines: to enhance athletes’ focus and overall performance. Emphasize attention control in meditation practices: to maximize benefits in precision sports like shooting. Utilize mindfulness techniques to manage athlete stress and anxiety: before and during competitions for improved outcomes.

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

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