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. 2024 Oct 3;19(10):e0306824.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306824. eCollection 2024.

Impact of mindfulness on football coaches: A mixed design

Aleix Gibert  1 , Antoni Planas  2 , Carlota Torrents  1   2
Affiliations

Impact of mindfulness on football coaches: A mixed design

Aleix Gibert et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Mindfulness is an increasingly popular practice among elite athletes to improve performance and well-being, but its application for coaches is still very limited. Therefore, a new program (M×E; Mindfulness para Entrenadores) was designed and implemented online for 6 weeks for coaches, support staff, and technical directors. Participants were 58 (57 men), aged between 23 and 58 (M = 31.8). The between-subject analysis (RM ANOVA 2×2) included experimental (n = 26) and wait-list control group (n = 21). A total of 29 completed the within-subject analysis (RM ANOVA) completing follow-up measurements until six months. The analysis was complemented with 21 individual semi-structured interviews. The experimental group showed significant improvements in mindfulness trait (p < .001), interpersonal mindfulness (p = .010), and a significant improvement in emotional regulation (p = .010) in comparison to the wait-list control group. The experimental group's positive trend in all variables' levels was maintained until six months after the program. The qualitative analysis showed a positive impact on professional, personal, and social areas with improvements related to performance and well-being. Several participants considered the program as "fundamental" for their professional role. This study provides information on best practices in implementing mindfulness-based programs, highlighting their practical orientation, the training plan, and the safe space. These results offer initial validation of the potential of the M×E and invite sports organizations to incorporate mindfulness-based programs specially designed for coaches, support staff and technical directors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Estimated marginal means of study variables for each experimental condition at pre and post periods.
Note. For these analyses, experimental condition n = 26, and wait-list control condition n = 21. T1 = pre-test; T2 = post-test.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Evolution of the estimated marginal means for the experimental group for each study variable.
Note. For these analyses, n = 29. T1 = pre-test; T2 = post-test; T3 = 3-month follow-up; T4 = 6-month follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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