Mindfulness and Performance

Mindfulness-based intervention modalities that were initially introduced within clinical psychology for the treatment of a variety of psychological conditions have also been applied in the sport context for the purpose of enhancing athletic performance and the general psychological well-being of athletic clientele. Since we first introduced systematic mindfulness practice into the sport domain in 2001, mindfulness-based interventions utilized in sports have gained increasing empirical support for their efficacy, and relevant mechanisms of action have been identified. Exploring these developments, this chapter highlights differences between Eastern and Western philosophical mindfulness traditions; describes conceptual considerations, theoretical developments, and mechanisms of action of mindfulness; discusses cognitive demands in human performance contexts; explores the use of mindfulness protocols and the empirical research accumulated to date in the sport milieu; and proposes future considerations that can aid in the evolution of mindfulness-based interventions for the enhancement of athletic performance