Carraça, B., Serpa, S., Rosado, A., & Palmi, J. (2018). The Mindfulness – Based Soccer Program (MBSoccerP): Effects on Elite Athletes. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 18 (3), 62- 85.
Newly, 3o wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs suggest that mindfulness-based programs might be a powerful strategy to optimize performance and improve flow.
The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Soccer Program (MBSoccerP) on elite soccer athletes. In a quasi-experimental design with experimental (n = 28) and control group (n = 29), the effectiveness of MBSoccerP was tested. The results of an analysis of covariance with repeated measures indicate that the intervention group (M=25.68, SD=3.42) significantly improved in Mindfulness-act with awareness; Mindfulness non-react; Self-compassion mindfulness; Self- compassion self-kindness; Self-compassion common-humanity subscales; Dispositional flow state total scale; and decreased Brief Symptom Inventory anxiety subscale and experiential avoidance, as traits compared to the control group, and increase direct measures scores of sports performance Athlete ́s Performance Self-Rating Scale and Coach ́s Performance Self-Rating Scale. Results suggest that MBSoccerP can be effective in enhance elite soccer performance, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, mindfulness and flow.