The Role of Mindfulness as a Predictor of Athletic Mental Energy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the predictability of athletes' athletic mental energy (AME) levels based on the sub-dimensions of mindfulness (awareness, non-judgment, and refocusing) and demographic variables (gender, athletic experience, competitive level). The study employed a relational survey model and included 324 athletes (177 males, 147 females; mean age = 21.99 ± 4.25) competing in individual and team sports. Data were collected using the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS) and the Athletic Mental Energy Scale (AMES). In accordance with the research hypotheses, Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were applied. A positive relationship was found between AME and the mindfulness sub-dimensions “awareness” (r = ,356) and “refocusing” (r =,916), while a negative relationship was observed with “non-judgment” (r =-,266). In the hierarchical regression analysis, it was determined that the effect of demographic variables on AME was low (R² = 0.027), and that the explanatory power of the model increased when mindfulness variables were added (R² = 0.854). Additionally, “refocusing” emerged as the strongest predictor of AME (β = 0.886, p < 0.001). The results indicate that psychological variables are more effective than demographic characteristics in explaining AME. In this context, mindfulness-based interventions can be systematically integrated into training programs to sustainably enhance athletic mental energy in athletes.

Keywords

• Athletic Mental Energy
• Mindfulness
• Focus
• Sport Psychology
• Mental Performance

Atletik Zihinsel Enerjinin Yordayıcısı Olarak Bilinçli Farkındalığın Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, sporcuların atletik zihinsel enerji (AZE) düzeylerinin, bilinçli farkındalık (SBF) alt boyutları (farkındalık, yargılamama, yeniden odaklanma) ve demografik değişkenler (cinsiyet, sporculuk deneyimi, sporculuk düzeyi) doğrultusunda yordanabilirliğini incelemektir. İlişkisel tarama modelinde yürütülen araştırmaya bireysel ve takım sporlarında yarışan 324 sporcu (177 erkek, 147 kadın, yaş ort: 21,99±4,25) katılmıştır. Veriler, Sporcu Bilinçli Farkındalık Ölçeği (SBFÖ) ve Atletik Zihinsel Enerji Ölçeği (AZEÖ) ile toplanmıştır. Çalışma hipotezlerine uygun olarak Pearson korelasyon ve Hiyerarşik regresyon analizleri uygulanmıştır. Korelasyon bulgularına göre, AZE ile SBF alt boyutlarından farkındalık (r=,356) ve yeniden odaklanma (r=,916) değişkenleri ise pozitif, yargılamama (r =-,266) değişkeninde ise negatif yönde ilişki olduğu saptanmıştır. Hiyerarşik regresyon analizinde, demografik değişkenlerin AZE üzerindeki etkisinin düşük düzeyde olduğu (R² = 0,027), bilinçli farkındalık değişkenlerinin eklenmesiyle modelin açıklayıcılığının arttığı (R² = 0,854) belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, “yeniden odaklanma” AZE'nin en güçlü yordayıcısı olarak tespit edilmiştir (β = 0,886, p <0,001). Sonuçlar, AZE’nin açıklanmasında psikolojik değişkenlerin demografik özelliklere kıyasla daha etkili olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu doğrultuda, sporcularda atletik zihinsel enerjinin sürdürülebilir biçimde geliştirilmesi amacıyla, bilinçli farkındalık temelli müdahaleler sistematik olarak antrenman programlarına entegre edilebilir.

Keywords

• Atletik Zihinsel Enerji
• Bilinçli Farkındalık
• Odaklanma
• Spor Psikolojisi
• Zihinsel Performans

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