Effect of mindfulness training on sports performance and anxiety: A contemporary review with latest evidence
Kuldeep Kaur
International Journal of Physical Education Sports and Health May 1, 2026 DOI: 10.22271/kheljournal.2026.v13.i5a.4485 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Argues that mindfulness training is a promising, low-cost, and scalable psychological intervention that enhances athletic performance and mental well-being, with recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses (2022-2025) indicating consistent positive effects of MAC and MBSP programs. The authors contend that variations in intervention design, sample characteristics, and measurement tools limit generalizability, and they propose a standardized methodological framework for future research. |
Abstract
Mindfulness training has emerged as a significant psychological intervention in sports psychology aimed at enhancing performance and reducing anxiety among athletes. Contemporary research suggests that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) improve attentional control, emotional regulation, and flow states, thereby contributing to better athletic performance and reduced competitive anxiety. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses (2022-2025) indicate consistent positive effects of mindfulness programs, particularly Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) and Mindfulness-Based Sport Performance Enhancement (MBSP), on psychological and performance outcomes. However, variations in intervention design, sample characteristics, and measurement tools limit the generalizability of findings. This paper presents a structured review of existing literature, highlights recent empirical developments, and identifies critical research gaps. It also proposes a standardized methodological framework for future research in sports psychology. The review concludes that mindfulness training is a promising, low-cost, and scalable psychological tool that enhances both performance and mental well-being in athletes.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |