Document Type : Original research study
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation is one of the main athletic performance-enhancement strategies that affects through improvement of concentration; yet little research has been carried out to confirm its principal effects on physical exercise. Recent studies have shown that mindfulness can improve decision making, movement control, balance performance and physical fitness. Moreover, several studies showed that mindfulness based approaches positively affect sport performance in different fields and so associates with exercise maintenance. This article presents the theoretical rationale for mindfulness intervention, an integration of the recent conceptualizations, and an overview of this innovative approach for enhancing athletic performance. Furthermore, it showes strategies and techniques that target the development of mindfulness, acceptance of internal experiences such as thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, clarification of valued goals, decrease in impulsiveness, and enhanced attention to external cues that are required for optimal athletic performance. This is an analytical review based on evidence that aimed to present the reasons underlying the effects of mindfulness meditation on sport performance, and outline suggestions about the relationship between mindfulness based approaches and sport or exercise performance.
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