Mindfulness for Young Athletes

Sports Health. 2024 Mar-Apr;16(2):300-302. doi: 10.1177/19417381231209219. Epub 2023 Nov 7.

Abstract

Mindfulness has been around for centuries and a significant amount of research has been published in the past 6 years. Mindfulness has been shown to be helpful to improve overall well-being and sports performance. There has been a large increase in anxiety, depression, and overall stress in the pediatric, adolescent, and young adult population. This clinical commentary highlights the importance of using mindfulness as one tool to help young athletes improve their overall well-being and athletic performance. It also describes how it can be utilized in the sports medicine world along with noting a novel program at a Children's Hospital that is utilizing these tools to help young athletes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Athletes
  • Athletic Performance*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Mindfulness*
  • Sports Medicine*
  • Young Adult