Mindfulness-Based Peak Performance, Endurance Performance Under Pressure, Performance-relevant Mental Attributes

The primary aim of this study is to conduct a well-designed trial to investigate the effect of an MBI program entitled Mindfulness-based Peak Performance (MBPP) on endurance performance under pressure from an interdisciplinary approach of sport psychology, sports training, and cognitive neuroscience. The secondary aim is to examine the effect of MBPP program on performance-relevant mental attributes in behavioral and neurocognitive assessments.

The present study hypothesizes that the MBPP and self-talk groups will improve performance under pressure, but MBPP is expected to show greater improvement than ST. Additionally, we expect the MBPP will improve the relevant mental attributes.

Considering that increased competition levels are typically accompanied by elevated stress and anxiety, athletes' ability to cope with stress has gained even more importance in recent years. Growing evidence has demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness in reducing stress and enhancing athletic performance; however, its effectiveness remains a matter of debate and limitations due to absence of more rigorous designs, ecological validity, and randomized controlled trials.

Accordingly, the current trial, entitled Mindfulness-based Peak Performance (MBPP), will take an interdisciplinary approach (e.g., sport psychology, sports training, and cognitive neuroscience), to more definitively examine whether a tailored mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) affects athletic performance under pressure and relevant mental attributes.

Specifically, this study is an 8-week, three-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT), and eligible participants will be randomly assigned into (1) an MBPP group (MBPP), (2) a self-talk group (ST), and (3) a wait-list control group (WC). The primary outcomes (e.g., endurance performance under pressure, performance-relevant mental attributes) and secondary outcomes (e.g., dispositional mindfulness, sports psychological skills) will be assessed before and after intervention.

The MBPP and ST are expected that will improve performance under pressure, but MBPP might show greater improvement than ST. Additionally, MBPP is expected that will improve performance-relevant mental attributes. The results from this trial might provide rigorous evidence and insight into MBI application in the sports context.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged between 18 and 30 years
* Normal or corrected-to-normal 20/20 vision
* No red-green color blindness
* Able to speak and read Chinese
* Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) score = 0
* With one of the designated sport proficiencies (i.e., middle-long running, marathon, triathlon)
* No previous major experience in mindfulness-related training (e.g., meditation or Tai Chi)
* Provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed or self-reported cognitive problems
* The diagnosed or self-reported physical disease (e.g., untreated hypertension and chronic heart disease, stroke, brain tumor, musculoskeletal disorders, other exercise contradictions)
* Diagnosed or self-reported major psychiatric illness (e.g., major depression, schizophrenia)
* History of alcohol or drug abuse
* Unwillingness to be randomized to one of the three groups
* Currently participating in another study trial