Mindfulness Practice Is Associated With Improved Well-Being and Reduced Injury Risk in Female NCAA Division I...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Psychology
• Mindfulness Studies

Background:

• Sporting injuries pose significant physical and mental risks to athletes.
• Impaired well-being is linked to an increased risk of sports-related injuries.
• Mindfulness training has demonstrated benefits for well-being and mental health in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between mindfulness practice and well-being in collegiate athletes.
• To determine if mindfulness practice reduces the incidence of acute injuries in athletes.

Main Methods:

• A 6-week mindfulness training program was implemented for 21 NCAA Division I female athletes.
• Daily smartphone surveys tracked mood, muscle readiness, energy levels, and mindfulness practice.
• Linear mixed effects models and logistic regression analyses were used to assess well-being and injury incidence.

Main Results:

• Athletes reported significantly higher mood, muscle readiness, readiness to train, and energy levels on days with mindfulness practice.
• Mindfulness practice was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of suffering an acute injury the following day (OR, 0.42; P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness practice in female collegiate athletes is linked to improved psychological and physical readiness.
• Mindfulness training may serve as an effective strategy to reduce injury risk and enhance overall well-being in high-level athletes.