A Second-Generation Mindfulness-Based Intervention Focusing on Flow State: A Samatha-Based Training
The Sport Psychologist 2024 DOI: 10.1123/tsp.2023-0160 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental intervention study with wait-list control Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Martial-arts-routine athletes |
| Intervention | Samatha-based training (SBT) |
| Duration | 7-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | A 7-week Samatha-based training intervention significantly increased present-moment attention, awareness, and flow state scores in martial-arts-routine athletes compared with a wait-list group. The authors argue that SBT is a promising novel second-generation mindfulness-based intervention and propose a Samatha-perspective explanation for its effect on flow. |
Abstract
Currently, there is no empirical research on second-generation mindfulness training in the field of sport psychology. This study designed Samatha-based training (SBT) according to the principles of Samatha (a Buddhist practice) and preliminarily tested its influence on flow state. A total of 22 martial-arts-routine athletes were divided into two groups: the SBT group (n = 10) and the wait-list group (n = 12). The 7-week intervention demonstrated that SBT significantly enhanced the scores in present-moment attention, awareness, and flow state. These results support the effectiveness of SBT as a novel second-generation mindfulness-based intervention. Furthermore, the concept of mindfulness is discussed from the Samatha perspective, and subsequently, the reason that SBT promotes flow state was explored from a new perspective.