Perception and utilization of meditation and breathing exercise as strategies for enhancing athletic performance among student-athletes at the University of Lagos, Nigeria
Ayodele Olusola Adekunle, Oshodipe Raphael Gbemileke, Olajide Jacob Ige, Leke Ifedayo Ogungbamila
Aminu Kano Academic Scholars Association Multidisciplinary Journal October 21, 2025 DOI: 10.64726/xs9cc704 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 150 |
| Population | Student athletes at the University of Lagos, Nigeria |
| Interventions | Meditation Breathing exercises |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | The authors report that student athletes at the University of Lagos hold largely positive perceptions of meditation and breathing exercises and use them, with 90% endorsing meditation for anxiety and stress reduction and 90% endorsing breathing exercises for performance and recovery. Hypothesis tests indicated significant differences in perception and utilization for both practices, leading the authors to reject the null hypotheses and conclude these interventions offer multifaceted benefits for performance, stress management, and well-being. |
Abstract
This study examined the perception and utilization of mindfulness-based interventions, specifically meditation and breathing exercises, among student athletes at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Student athletes face unique challenges balancing academic demands with competitive sports participation, creating substantial stress and performance-related pressures. The research investigated whether these mindfulness practices significantly affect athletic performance and well-being. Using a purposive sampling technique, 150 student athletes participated in the study through a self-developed questionnaire, with data analyzed using t-test statistics. Results revealed overwhelmingly positive perceptions of both interventions. For meditation, 90% of participants recognized its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and stress, while 70% strongly agreed it enhances focus and concentration during competition. Similarly, breathing exercises demonstrated strong support, with 90% acknowledging their impact on athletic performance and recovery, and 70% affirming their effectiveness in managing pre-competition anxiety. Hypothesis testing confirmed significant differences in both perception and utilization of meditation (t-cal=4.68, p=0.001) and breathing exercises (t-cal=5.12, p=0.002), leading to rejection of both null hypotheses. The findings indicate that student athletes at the University of Lagos demonstrate comprehensive understanding and positive utilization of mindfulness-based interventions, recognizing their multifaceted benefits for performance enhancement, stress management, and overall well-being in competitive athletic contexts.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |