Mental toughness and mindfulness improved, while anxiety changes were not significant
A randomized study in female athletes found gains in several psychological measures after a combined programme, alongside null findings for anxiety and a separate self-confidence measure.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The training group improved on measures of mental toughness, mindfulness and flow, while cognitive anxiety, bodily anxiety and a separate self-confidence measure showed no statistically significant change. This mixed pattern supports a narrower interpretation than an overall psychological benefit. The abstract does not report whether the athletes subsequently performed better in sport.
The abstract does not describe control-group activities, raw questionnaire changes or later follow-up. It also does not identify the precise comparison behind the null anxiety results, limiting interpretation of those findings.
What the programme combined
The intervention brought together breathing exercises, guided visualization, meditation and mindfulness. Researchers assessed psychological measures before and after the programme, so the reported outcomes concern measured psychological experiences rather than demonstrated changes in competitive performance.
Confidence had different meanings
Confidence within the mental-toughness assessment improved, while a separate self-confidence measure did not change significantly. Keeping those outcomes distinct avoids suggesting that every measure of confidence improved; the nonsignificant finding also does not establish no effect.
The original publication
Psycho-yogic training and its effects on the psychological well-being of underperforming female athletes.
Saha S, Pahan MK, Karmakar D et al.
J Bodyw Mov Ther · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41316630
- Record checked
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