The Influence of Mindfulness Meditation on Anxiety Levels Among Martial Arts Athletes in Facing Competitions
Luthfi Ayu Nafisah, Tanjung Ayu Sumekar
Diponegoro International Medical Journal October 31, 2026 DOI: 10.14710/dimj.v7i1.30885 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pretest–posttest control group experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Karate athletes under KONI Pati Regency |
| Intervention | Mindfulness meditation |
| Duration | 3 weeks, twice weekly, 10 minutes per session |
| Measures | Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2R (CSAI-2R) |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Mindfulness meditation was associated with a significant decrease in competitive anxiety scores (from 38.56 to 30.11 on the CSAI-2R), while the control group's scores rose slightly (35.50 to 37.56). The authors conclude that the practice was effective in reducing anxiety and can be recommended for competition preparation. |
Abstract
Background: Pre-competition anxiety is a common psychological problem experienced by martial arts athletes and may negatively affect their performance. Various methods have been applied to reduce anxiety, one of which is mindfulness meditation, which has been proven to decrease stress and improve focus.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness meditation on the anxiety levels of martial arts athletes in facing competitions.
Methods: This study was an actual experimental research with a pretest–posttest control group design. The sample consisted of 36 karate athletes under KONI Pati Regency, selected through random sampling and divided into the intervention group (n=18) and the control group (n=18). The intervention group received mindfulness meditation for 3 weeks, twice weekly, lasting 10 minutes per session, while the control group received no intervention. The instrument used was the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2R (CSAI-2R). Data were analyzed using Saphiro-wilk paired t-test, independent t-test, and ANCOVA
Results: There was a significant decrease in anxiety scores in the intervention group from 38.56 ± 6.30 to 30.11 ± 6.78 (p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group increased from 35.50 ± 6.13 to 37.56 ± 5.95 (p = 0.049).
Conclusion: Mindfulness meditation was proven to be effective in reducing anxiety levels among martial arts athletes and can be recommended as a psychological strategy to prepare athletes for competitions.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |