Effect of Mindfulness Induction on Taekwondo-Specific Performance and Autonomic Recovery

National Taiwan Normal University53 enrolled

Overview

This randomized, counterbalanced crossover study investigated whether a mindfulness induction could improve kicking performance and facilitate psychophysiological recovery following fatigue manipulation in taekwondo athletes. After completing a cognitively demanding task and a simulated taekwondo match, participants underwent either a 15-min mindfulness induction or a control condition before performing taekwondo-specific kicking tests. Kicking performance and heart rate variability (HRV) were assessed as the primary outcomes, while perceived exertion, blood lactate, mental fatigue, and state mindfulness were evaluated as secondary outcomes. The findings will provide insight into the potential of mindfulness induction as a practical between-match recovery strategy for enhancing both physiological and psychological recovery in taekwondo athletes.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Mindfulness

Interventions

Participants in the mindfulness condition underwent a 15-min mindfulness induction comprising mindful breathing and body scan exercises. Participants were instructed to sit comfortably in a chair, close their eyes, and listen to a prerecorded mindfulness audio recording through headphones. They were asked to follow the instructions attentively throughout the induction, focusing on their breathing and bodily sensations with an attitude of nonjudgment.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 25 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Be at least 18 years of age. 2. Have at least 4 years of taekwondo training experience. 3. Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision. 4. Be a Chinese speaker. 5. Not be engaged in any weight-loss program. 6. Be free from injury at the time of participation. 7. Provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Have regularly practiced mindfulness meditation within the past year. 2. Be currently participating in another clinical trial. 3. Be at high risk for performing physical performance tasks (i.e., a score greater than 0 on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire \[PAR-Q\]).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Kicking performance

The Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT) was used to assess kicking performance at baseline and post-intervention. Two versions were administered: the 10-s Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKT10) and the multiple Frequency Speed of Kick Test (FSKTmult)

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of second intervention at 1 week. During Frequency Speed of Kick Test, up to 10 minutes

Heart rate variability

Heart rate variability was assessed using a portable heart rate monitor (Polar H10) at baseline, post-fatigue manipulation, and post-intervention.

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the second session (approximately 1 week). HRV was assessed for 5 min at baseline, post-fatigue manipulation, and post-intervention.

Secondary Outcomes

Mental fatigue

The 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) will be utilized to assess the change in perceived mental fatigue (VAS-MF) at baseline, post-fatigue manipulation, and post-intervention. VAS-MF is scaled from 0 (not at all mentally fatigued) to 100 (extremely mentally fatigued), and participant will be asked to mark their perception of mental fatigue on the 100-mm line (i.e., 0 = "not at all mentally fatigued" to "100 = extremely mentally fatigued").

Time frame: From enrollment to completion of the second experimental session (approximately 1 week), with assessments conducted at baseline, immediately after fatigue manipulation, and immediately after the 15-min intervention.

Blood lactate

Blood lactate (LA) was measured by an edge blood lactate monitoring system (ApexBio Inc., Taipei City, Taiwan).

State mindfulness

State mindfulness was assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention using the Athlete Mindfulness Questionnaire (AMQ). The AMQ consists of 16 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale, yielding a total score ranging from 16 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater state mindfulness.

Time frame: From enrollment to completion of the second experimental session (approximately 1 week), with assessments conducted at baseline and immediately after the 15-min intervention.

Rating of perceived exertion

Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was evaluated using the Borg's CR10 scale (Borg, 1998) to ascertain the extent of participant's perceived exertion immediately after FSKT10 and FSKTmult and each round of simulated match.

Time frame: From enrollment to the end of the second session (approximately 1 week). Measured immediately after the FSKT and during the simulated taekwondo match.