Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Athletic Training – Post Professional Concentration

Committee Chairperson

Emily Duckett, EdD, LAT, ATC

Committee Member

Alison Gardiner-Shires, PhD, LAT, ATC

Committee Member

Lindsey Keenan, PhD, LAT, ATC

Abstract

Mental health concerns in athletes are becoming a primary focus for institutions, companies, coaches, and more. An athlete carries an abundant load of stressors due to their lifestyle. The stressors can negatively impact an athlete by producing anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other mental health issues. Previous studies have found a connection between the use of contemplative practices on psychological and psychosocial effects in athletes, creating an opportunity to evaluate the research of contemplative practices in the athletic population. A systematic review was conducted using nine electronic databases. Seven studies were included in this review, each assessing how contemplative practices affect the mental health of athletes. The Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC), Psychological Skills Training (PST), Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE), Mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavior therapy (MiCBT), and Hatha yoga were the most utilized interventions in the reviewed literature. Results suggested that the interventions had a positive effect on an athlete’s mental health, specifically related to anxiety and depression. Discovering the effects of contemplative practices will help healthcare providers, and others who work directly with the athletes, provide the best quality care.

Download

Share

COinS