The Effectiveness of Mindfulness in Alleviating Sport Competition Anxiety Among College Athletes

Author Information

Leilani Santos, Jose Rizal University, Philippines
Lloyd Ryan Lagmay, Jose Rizal Unversity, Philippines
Hafsah Macaraya, Jose Rizal University, Philippines

Abstract

This quantitative study examined the effectiveness of mindfulness in alleviating sport competition anxiety among college athletes. A total of 99 student-athletes from various sports disciplines participated through convenience sampling. Standardized tools, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), were administered to measure mindfulness and anxiety levels. Results revealed that athletes demonstrated a moderate level of mindfulness (M = 2.99) and mild to moderate sport competition anxiety (M = 2.12). Performance-related concerns such as fear of not playing well (M = 2.52) and letting others down (M = 2.53) were the most prominent anxiety indicators. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between mindfulness and sport anxiety (r = .789, p < .001), suggesting that higher mindfulness awareness was associated with increased recognition of anxious thoughts. ANOVA further revealed significant differences in mindfulness and anxiety based on age and academic year, with younger athletes reporting higher anxiety levels, while no significant differences were observed across sex. The findings highlight the potential of mindfulness as a psychological resource for managing sport-related anxiety, particularly in reducing performance pressure and enhancing emotional regulation. However, reliance on self-report data limits causal interpretation, underscoring the need for intervention-based research to establish the direct impact of mindfulness training for athletes and coaches too. The study recommends integrating structured mindfulness practices into collegiate sports programs and providing tailored workshops for younger athletes who are more vulnerable to anxiety. Future research should explore longitudinal effects and sport-specific interventions to strengthen mental resilience and athletic performance.