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Effect of Mindfulness Training on Fatigue and Recovery in Elite Volleyball Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Follow-Up Study.

Danilo R Coimbra, Guilherme G Bevilacqua, Fabiano S Pereira, Alexandro Andrade

Journal of sports science & medicine March 1, 2021 DOI: 10.52082/jssm.2021.1 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial with follow-up Peer reviewed
Sample size 30
Population Elite female Brazilian volleyball athletes
Interventions Mindfulness-based mental training Music-based training
Measures Total quality recovery, mental fatigue visual analog scale, physical fatigue visual analog scale
Topics Meditation
Keywords Humans Music therapy Follow-up studies Mental fatigue Sensation Recovery of function Adolescent Female Volleyball Athletes Visual analog scale Team sports Sport psychology Mental training
Key findings Recovery and physical fatigue did not differ among mindfulness, music, and control groups. Mental fatigue differed between the music-based training and control groups at follow-up, a large effect. The authors conclude that mindfulness training effectively attenuated competition-related mental fatigue in volleyball athletes.

Abstract

Volleyball is a team sport with high physical and perceptual-cognitive demand, hence, increasing the perception of physical and mental fatigue during a competition. To alleviate fatigue (physical and mental), mindfulness and music have been proposed. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of mindfulness-based mental versus music training on mental fatigue, physical fatigue, and recovery in elite competitive female volleyball athletes using a randomized two-controlled study with follow-up. Participants were 30 elite female Brazilian volleyball athletes. Athletes were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) mindfulness-based mental training group (MBMT); 2) music-based training group (MBT); or 3) control group (CG). Three variables were evaluated as follows: 1) recovery based on total quality recovery; 2) mental fatigue visual analog scale; and 3) physical fatigue visual analog scale. Regarding recovery, there was no difference between the MBMT, MBT, and CG groups (p > 0.05). A difference in mental fatigue was noted between MBT and CG at follow-up [F(2,26) = 5.71, p = 0.009; large]. Regarding physical fatigue, there was no difference between the MBMT, MBT, and CG groups (p > 0.05). The mindfulness intervention effectively attenuated the mental fatigue caused by competition in volleyball athletes. These results will assist coaches and staff in providing fatigue management and reinforce the applicability of mental training in sports.

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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