Acute effects of mindfulness-based intervention on athlete cognitive function: An fNIRS investigation.
Yuxin Zhu, Fenghua Sun, Chunxiao Li, Junhao Huang, Min Hu, Kangle Wang, Shan He, Jiarui Wu
Journal of exercise science and fitness January 22, 2022 DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.01.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Single-blind randomized counter-balanced crossover trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17 |
| Population | Male soccer players |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based intervention Travel-related audio |
| Measures | Stroop task, Corsi-block tapping task, salivary cortisol, blood lactate, mental fatigue, functional near-infrared spectroscopy |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cognition Hemodynamics Soccer Functional near-infrared spectroscopy Half-time |
| Key findings | A brief mindfulness-based intervention after 45 minutes of exercise improved working memory reaction time and accuracy within the MBI trial and produced lower mental fatigue and cortisol than a control audio. Cognitive performance was only slightly better than control at posttest (P = 0.37, d = 0.32). The authors conclude the acute effect on mental fatigue and cortisol was detected and the benefit for working memory is preliminarily supported. |
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) as a psychological treatment is adopted in the sports field, but its effect during competition has not been explored. This study investigated the acute effect of a brief MBI on athletes' cognitive function after a 45-min, lab-based soccer protocol.
Methods: In a single-blind randomized counter-balanced crossover design, 17 male soccer players completed two main trials-an MBI trial and a control trial. The MBI trial was provided with a brief MBI after 45-min exercise; the control trial was instead assigned a travel-related audio to listen to at that time. In each main trial, cognitive function (i.e., Stroop task for inhibition; Corsi-block tapping task for working memory), salivary cortisol, blood lactate and mental fatigue were measured at baseline (pretest) and after the intervention (posttest). The cerebral oxygenation status was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy during the cognitive function test.
Results: The brief MBI improved working memory performance in terms of both reaction time (pre vs. post, P = 0.02, d = 0.71) and accuracy (pre vs. post, P = 0.009, d = 0.58), supported by eliciting increased oxyhemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Whereas a slightly better cognitive performance for MBI trial than control trial at posttest (P = 0.37, d = 0.32) accompanied by a lower oxyhemoglobin concentration. A lower mental fatigue level (P = 0.05, d = 0.6) and lower cortisol concentration (P = 0.04, d = 0.65) were observed in the MBI trial than in the control trial after the intervention at posttest. The decreased cortisol concentration correlated with increased inhibition performance in the MBI trial.
Conclusion: The acute effect of MBI on athletes' mental fatigue and cortisol concentration was detected, and the beneficial effect on working memory was preliminarily supported. In general, MBI is recommended to be adopted at half-time of a soccer game.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Effects of long-term mindfulness meditation training on attentional capacity in professional male fencer athletes. Scientific Reports April 15, 2025
- The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Enhancing Psychological Well-Being in Athletes: A Scoping Review of Randomised Controlled Trials Healthcare September 8, 2026
- Effects of Mindfulness Intervention on Cognitive Function in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Mindfulness August 6, 2025
- The Effect of a Modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program on Symptoms of Stress and Depression and on Saliva Cortisol and Serum Creatine Kinase among Male Wrestlers Healthcare June 1, 2023
- The effectiveness of adolescent-oriented mindfulness training on academic burnout and social anxiety symptoms in students: experimental research Annals of Medicine and Surgery May 10, 2023
and 1 more in the library
Cites 13
- How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective Perspectives on Psychological Science October 14, 2011
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness Training Improves Working Memory Capacity and GRE Performance While Reducing Mind Wandering Psychological Science March 28, 2013
- Self-Focused Attention and Mechanisms of Change in Mindfulness-Based Treatment Cognitive Behaviour Therapy 2009
- Spirituality in pain medicine: A randomized experiment of pain perception, heart rate and religious spiritual well-being by using a single session meditation methodology PLoS One September 7, 2018
and 8 more in the library