Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

The Effect of Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Competitive Anxiety and Recovery in Elite Kyokushin Athletes

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Alimohammad Karimi 1
Hassan Gharayagh zandi 2
Daryoush Khajavi 2
1 The Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology Group, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran
10.22089/spsyj.2025.18614.2617
Abstract
Competitive situations are almost always accompanied by a certain level of anxiety that, though often silent, profoundly engages both the mind and body of athletes. This is especially true in disciplines such as Kyokushin, where not only physical strength but also psychological balance is essential for survival and success. Addressing the mental dimensions of athletes, therefore, becomes an undeniable necessity.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of two influential psychological approaches—Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—on reducing competitive anxiety and improving recovery among elite Kyokushin athletes. Employing a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group, the study was conducted on 41 male athletes aged 18 to 30, divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The interventions, designed based on MBSR and ACT principles, were administered to the respective experimental groups. Data were collected using the Competitive State Anxiety Test (SCAT) and the Recovery–Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ-Sport). Non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for data analysis.

Findings indicated that both MBSR and ACT interventions significantly reduced competitive anxiety and enhanced psychological recovery compared to the control group. However, while MBSR demonstrated greater effectiveness in reducing competitive anxiety, ACT showed a notable advantage in improving physical recovery. These results highlight the distinct yet complementary roles of the two approaches in enhancing the psychological and physical performance of athletes.
Keywords
Mindfulness
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Competitive Anxiety
Recovery
Kyokushin

Subjects

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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 14, Issue 54
Autumn 2025
Pages 1-23

  • Receive Date 05 October 2025
  • Revise Date 23 November 2025
  • Accept Date 27 November 2025