The Relationship between Mindfulness and Flow State in Athletes
Jade Zhijun Guo
Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences July 2, 2025 DOI: 10.54097/7f66m794 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Elite athletes |
| Interventions | Mindfulness Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program mindfulness training |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Argues that mindfulness abilities and flow in elite athletes are linked, noting that most reviewed articles showed significant correlations between the two. Mindfulness training is described as an effective approach for increasing emotional regulation and attentional control, which are related to athletes' flow levels, though further investigation is needed. |
Abstract
Mindfulness has long been known for its positive health benefits for the human body and mind. The introspective, non-judgmental aspects of mindfulness exercises make it especially beneficial for elite athletic performance, where it is critical for athletes to enter a specific state of concentration and awareness where peak performance is observed—the flow state. In the past, certain mindfulness programs such as the Mindfulness Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) program were designed to improve athletes’ mindfulness abilities. Since the broader focus in research was to independently evaluate mindfulness and flow in athletes, it is important to see the bridge between the two areas of study. Most reviewed articles showed significant correlation between mindfulness abilities and levels of flow in elite athletes. It was also shown that mindfulness training is an effective approach to increase emotional regulation and attentional control, which are related to levels of flow in athletes. Further investigation is necessary to understand how mindfulness can contribute to the level of flow experienced by athletes.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports. Healthcare March 21, 2023
- Mindfulness training enhances flow state and mental health among baseball players in Taiwan Psychology Research and Behavior Management December 1, 2018
- Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention on Sports-Anxiety, Pessimism, and Flow in Competitive Cyclists. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being March 2016