Mindfulness and impulsive behavior: exploring the mediating roles of self-reflection and coping effectiveness among high-level athletes in Central China

Introduction

In the highly competitive field of sports, impulsive behavior by athletes not only threatens personal and team harmony but also poses significant risks to their careers and public image. Despite these behaviors often becoming the focus of public attention, their underlying causes and prevention strategies remain relatively unknown. This study delves deep into the impact of mindfulness on athletes' impulsive behavior, revealing the mediating roles of self-reflection and coping effectiveness.

Methods

Using a combination of snowball and convenience sampling, a sample of 403 athletes from high-level sports teams in the Central China region participated in a questionnaire survey. The data were analyzed using Amos v.23 software.

Results

The findings indicate a positive correlation between mindfulness and coping effectiveness (standardized coefficient = 0.336, p < 0.001), as well as between self-reflection and coping effectiveness (standardized coefficient = 0.406, p < 0.001). There is a negative correlation between coping effectiveness and impulsive behavior (standardized coefficient = -0.476, p < 0.001). The positive impact of mindfulness on impulsive behavior (standardized coefficient = -0.371, p < 0.01) is mediated by self-reflection and coping effectiveness. The explanatory power of this study is R2 = 0.35.

Discussion

Mindfulness reduces impulsive behavior by enhancing self-reflection capabilities and improving coping effectiveness. Based on these substantive research results, to mitigate impulsive behavior in athletes, it is recommended that the National Sports Administration and coaches actively implement mindfulness training. Additionally, targeted psychological intervention strategies should be developed to enhance athletes' mental health levels and optimize their sports performance.

Alexithymia and Impulsivity in Combat Sports - A Tale of Three Measures

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of two measures of alexithymia - the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) - as well as the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 measure of behavioural impulsivity because the psychometric properties of these scales have not been established in athletes. As part of a larger study, 298 participants completed an online survey that included the TAS-20, PAQ, and BIS 11, as well personal- (age and gender) and sport-specific (primary combat sport and level of competition) demographic measures. A unidimensional model was retained for the TAS-20. A unidimensional model with the possibility of multidimensional measure was retained for the PAQ, with the viability of a subscale for Generalised Externally Orientated Thinking supported. The only versions of the BIS that were retainable were unidimensional models for the BIS-15 (a 15-item version of the BIS 11) and the BIS-Brief (an 8-item version of the BIS 11). As expected, the measures of alexithymia were highly correlated. The associations between impulsivity and alexithymia as well as age and alexithymia were small in nature, with none these associations moderated by level of gender, level of competition, or primary sport for the participants. No differences in alexithymia or impulsivity according to gender, level of competition, or primary sport were noted for the participants. Implications of these findings for the measures of alexithymia - the TAS-20 and PAQ - and impulsivity - the BIS-15 and BIS-Brief - examined in the present study with athletes (as well as with other populations) are discussed.

Effects of emotional regulation and impulsivity on sports performance: the mediating role of gender and competition level

Introduction

This study aimed to study the relationships between emotional regulation and impulsivity on sports performance, according to the gender and competition level in national-level volleyball players.

Methods

In total, 77 players from the 2018-2019 top two Spanish divisions completed the ERQ (emotion regulation) and the UPPS-P (impulsivity). Statistics (serve, reception, and attack) were retrieved from the Spanish Volleyball Federation. A Mann-Whitney test was conducted to determine differences between gender and competition level in impulsivity and emotion regulation. A Kruskal-Wallis test (Mann-Whitney post-hoc) was carried out for playing positions analysis. Spearman's correlation was performed between the performance and the variables of impulsivity and emotional regulation.

Results

The results obtained, with differences according to playing position, gender, and competition level, show that players differ in certain psychological aspects that might influence how they approach their game.

Discussion

The results point in a promising direction: the sports practice analyzed can serve as a regulation context, for both the emotional response and the level of impulsivity of the players. The importance of these results for future research on this topic is discussed.

Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports

Training in emotional regulation skills is one of the most important resources for the adaptation of athletes to contexts of sports pressure, especially during competitions. This study explored the effects of a mindfulness programme (Flow Meditation) on levels of impulsivity, mood and pre-competition anxiety-state in a sample of athletes (N = 41, 22.83 ± 5.62 years). Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (N = 21; 14 males and 7 females) which received the intervention over 10 weeks (a weekly session) and a control group (wait-list; N = 20; 13 males and 7 females). The variables under study were assessed through different questionnaires at pre- and post-test (T1-T2) in both groups. The mindfulness intervention was effective in reducing impulsivity (cognitive (t = -4.48, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.40), both motor (t = -4.03, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.20) and unplanned (t = -5.32, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.66)), mood (tension (t = -4.40, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.37), depression (t = -4.56, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.42), anger (t = -7.80, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.47), somatic anxiety (t = -5.28, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.65), and cognitive anxiety (t = -6.62, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.07) in the intervention group compared to the control group and with large to very large effect sizes. Mindfulness is a factor that enhances athletes' ability to cope with high sport pressure and the healthy management of competition (e.g., fear of failure), or with their daily life.

Are COMT Val158Met (rs4680), DRD2 TaqIA (rs1800497), and BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphisms associated with executive functions performance at rest and during physical exercise?

Executive functions (EFs) encompass a wide array of cognitive processes, which appear to be influenced by genetic variants of the COMT, DRD2/ANKK1, and BDNF polymorphisms. The present study aimed to investigate whether COMT Val158Met (rs4680), DRD2/ANKK1 (rs1800497), and BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphisms were associated with EFs assessed at rest and during moderate acute physical exercise. Sixty physically active individuals underwent four laboratory visits. First, they filled out the pre-exercise survey, researchers collected their anthropometric data, and then performed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test. In the second and third sessions, participants performed EFs test in a randomized order: while the individual was seated on a cycle ergometer without pedaling (i.e., rest condition); and during physical exercise (pedaling for 30 minutes at moderate intensity before starting the EFs test during exercising). On the fourth day, blood samples were drawn. Our results showed that the response time of the COMT Val homozygotes group was significantly shorter than the COMT Met-carrier group [t(39.78) = 2.13, p = .039,d = 0.56] at rest condition. No significant association was found for the other analyses (DRD2/ANKK1 and BDNF). In conclusion, the present study suggests that COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphisms may be associated with EFs at rest condition. However, further studies are needed to validate this association.

Effects of Impulsivity on Competitive Anxiety in Female Athletes: The Mediating Role of Mindfulness Trait

It has been demonstrated that athletes in competitive sports suffer from high levels of competitive anxiety, especially in the case of females. In this sense, it is necessary to identify possible risk and protective factors of those athletes in this collective who suffer from this type of anxiety. However, few studies analyze the relationship between Physical Activity (PA) and anxiety, identifying the possible mediation effect of trait variables such as impulsivity and mindfulness in female athletes. Hence, the aims of this study were: to determine differences between PA levels with anxiety, mindfulness, and impulsiveness; to identify the predictive value of sociodemographic factors and physical activity, impulsivity, and mindfulness on anxiety factors; and to analyze the possible mediating effects of mindfulness on the relationship between impulsivity and anxiety. A total of 242 female athletes underwent an assessment of physical activity, anxiety, mindfulness traits, and impulsivity using validated questionnaires. Data were analyzed according to (1) individual or collective sport, and (2) PA levels according to energy expended (METs min/day). Participants were grouped by light, moderate, and vigorous PA levels. There were 30.5% elite athletes and 73.2% collective sports athletes. Mean age was 22.1 years and mean light, moderate, and vigorous PA were 86.1 ± 136.2, 114.4 ± 159.8, and 370.1 ± 336.3 METs min/day, respectively. Those athletes performing vigorous PA exhibited lower levels of impulsiveness and higher mindfulness traits. As expected, the mindfulness trait was a mediating factor in the relationship between impulsiveness and each factor of competitive anxiety (cognitive, somatic, and self-efficacy). Female athletes could suffer competitive anxiety, especially those who present higher levels of impulsivity. However, higher levels of mindfulness traits seem to be a protective factor in the effects of impulsivity on anxiety in this population and have demonstrated to be significant mediators in this association. Further studies are needed with other female athletes to replicate these results and to determine the specific protective mechanisms of mindfulness traits in preventing competitive anxiety.

Adaptation and validation of a German version of the Dickman impulsivity inventory for the assessment of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity

Impulsive behavior tends to have a negative connotation in the sense that it is usually associated with detrimental or dysfunctional outcomes. However, under certain circumstances, impulsive behaviors may also have beneficial or functional outcomes. Dickman's Impulsivity Inventory (DII) measures these two distinct aspects of impulsivity, namely, dysfunctional impulsivity (the tendency to act with less forethought than do most people which leads to difficulties) and functional impulsivity (the tendency to act with little forethought when the situation is optimal). In the present study, we translated the DII into German and validated the German version in a sample of 543 adults. The original 23-item model was considered unsuitable for the German version as suggested by fit indices of a confirmatory factor analysis. Exploratory factor analyses rather supported a 16-item version. Further psychometric analyses and inferential statistical analyses on the final German DII indicated its appropriateness for use in German-speaking populations and support a two-factor solution of the DII. Finally, exploratory analyses on the German DII suggest differential relationships between dysfunctional and functional impulsivity and self-reported lifestyle-related variables (smoking, alcohol usage, and sports behavior).

Cognitive and Executive Functions of Young Men regarding Sport Activity and Personality Traits

Sport activity can be a moderator of change in the level of cognitive and executive functions. This research sample consisted of 71 men aged 22.66 ± 1.91 years. This group was split into two subgroups: nonathletes (n = 26) and athletes (n = 45). The athletes included open skill sport athletes (n = 21) and closed skill sport athletes (n = 24). We used a standardized S-test to detect the level of cognitive functions, a standardized EPQ-R questionnaire to find out the degree of neuroticism and a standardized IVE questionnaire to measure the level of impulsivity. For data processing, we used the Kruskal–Wallis test following the Mann–Whitney test. To calculate the effect of size differences we used the coefficients η2 and r. Our research showed a higher level of cognitive function of athletes compared to nonathletes. More detailed data analysis showed that open skill sport disciplines are influential. There is also a negative relationship between the level of cognitive function and the degree of impulsivity and neuroticism. It seems that sport activity, specifically open skill sport disciplines, has the potential to increase the cognitive functions of young adult men. Personality traits—neuroticism and impulsivity—have a negative relationship with the level of cognitive functions of young men.

Development and reliability of a test for assessing executive functions during exercise

Previous research suggests that performance on executive functions tests may be different at rest, versus when one is engaged in physical exercise. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop an integrated system that evaluates executive functions during exercise. We conducted two test-retest studies, with ten healthy male volunteers participating in each study. Participants visited the laboratory three (Study 1) or four (Study 2) times. During the first visit in both studies, questionnaires were administered, and a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPT) was performed. In Study 1, during the second and third visits, participants exercised on a cycle ergometer at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes before starting the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test while they were still cycling. In Study 2, during the second visit, participants performed three sets of the executive functions test while sitting on the bike, with a 5 min interval between each set. On visits 3 and 4, participants performed the same exercise protocol as the one described in Study 1. In summary, our results indicated that the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test that we developed and conducted in exercising individuals has similar elements to previous versions and can be considered a reliable test for executive functions assessment during exercise.

Impulsiveness and Cognitive Patterns. Understanding the Perfectionistic Responses in Spanish Competitive Junior Athletes

Introduction

High performance sport requires that the athletes maintain a constant intensity and control of their personal resources, as well as a balance between self-regulation and performance. Likely, such requirements involve the influence of their beliefs regarding the tasks to be performed to improve the confidence in their own resources to face the competition. Theoretical arguments provide new insights for understanding multidimensional perfectionism and its relationships with other variables such as affective experiences, among others. In this study, perfectionism was conceptualized as a “stable personality disposition,” whereas the impulsiveness components were defined as “representing psychological mechanisms (or processes)” underlying the relationships between perfectionism and athletic experiences.

Aim

This study aims to establish and show profiles of perfectionist beliefs and impulsive responses according to sport modality and the relationships between all these variables. Team athletes were expected to show more functional resources than those in combat or endurance sports.

Methods

The psychological responses of 487 athletes (273 boys; 214 girls) practicing high-performance sport were examined. A non-randomized, cross-sectional design was used. Self-reports were used to measure impulsiveness, perfectionism and competence self-perceptions.

Results

Athletes with functional responses of impulsivity and perfectionism showed higher perceived self-competence. Athletes with more reflective thoughts, more careful planning and generally less sensitive to rewards and behaviors were more self-regulated and planned (functional impulsivity) and showed more moderate relationships between the most dysfunctional perfectionist beliefs and self-competence. In addition, perfectionism seems to be useful to the striver athletes that want to be the best, and they are focused on and committed to future goals and performance and self-improvement. It is important for coaches and athletes to understand how the processes of self-regulation (impulsivity) and self-knowledge (perfectionism) could be formed to try to offer better opportunities for building psychological resources that enhance high-performance mental abilities.

Adaptações do cérebro durante uma tarefa de longa duração: Um estudo de Potencial Relacionado a Evento

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é investigar o efeito da demanda cognitiva prolongada na modulação do Potencial Relacionado a Evento (ERP) em um paradigma de controle inibitório. Os dados foram coletados em 19 voluntários destros, com a média de idade de 21,21 (±1,77) anos, que realizaram o paradigma do Go/NoGo durante 50 minutos, com gravação sincronizada do eletroencefalograma para obtenção dos ERPs. O efeito do tempo de realização da tarefa provocou alterações significativas nas variáveis subjetivas, de desempenho cognitivo e nas amplitudes máximas dos componentes N2 e P3. Nossos resultados sugerem que quando nosso cérebro está submetido a demandas cognitivas extensas, ocorrem adaptações para a manutenção do desempenho comportamental através da estratégia de realocação de recursos energéticos.

A Preliminary Investigation on Smokeless Tobacco Use and Its Cognitive Effects Among Athletes

Introduction: Among athletes, an increasing use of nicotine via smokeless tobacco has been reported. However, there are currently unanswered questions about whether the use by athletes is due to nicotine’s addictive properties and/or to benefits in physical and cognitive performance (e.g., decision-making). In this original article we reported about, (i) snus-induced reinforcing effects among snus-user athletes (Survey) and (ii) the effects of snus on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) in snus-user skiers (Experimental study). IGT is an experimental neuropsychological task that has been previously used on athletes and addicts to test decision-making.

Methods: Survey: data were collected with the modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) that was administered to 61 winter sport athlete snus-users in Northern Italy. Experimental study: IGT data included: amount of money earned, number of choices from advantageous and disadvantageous decks and overall net score. Eighteen male snus-users were tested under satiety or after 12-h abstinence conditions according to a crossover design.

Results: Survey: the comparison between occasional vs. regular snus-users showed a statistically significant difference in satisfaction (P = 0.0088), calm (P = 0.0252), and enjoyment (P = 0.0001) mCEQ items suggesting a snus intake/effect relationship. Experimental study: significantly higher IGT net scores were found during the first 20 choice cards after abstinence vs. satiety conditions (P = 0.0024).

Conclusion: In the Survey, regular snus use induces greater satisfaction and psychological reward than occasional use. In the Experimental study, snus intake might produce an early and transient cognitive improvement on IGT in abstinent snus-users, presumably acting as a withdrawal relief.

Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Brazilian Version of the Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (Br-DII)

Impulsivity has mainly been described as a negative or dysfunctional characteristic associated with several disorders. However, impulsivity is not only related to dysfunctional outcomes and may explain individual differences in optimal human functioning as well. The Dickman Impulsivity Inventory (DII) is a self-report instrument measuring both the dysfunctional and the functional aspects of impulsivity. In this study, we performed the translation and cultural adaptation of the DII to the Brazilian context and analyzed its psychometric properties. Translation and cultural adaptation followed a rigorous process, which relied on an expert panel in the cross-cultural adaptation of psychological instruments. Data from 405 undergraduate students were obtained for the Brazilian version of the DII (Br-DII). The 23 items of the Br-DII was considered unsuitable according to model fit indices of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (both for Oblique and Orthogonal models). Exploratory Factor Analysis showed an 18 items version of the Br-DII to be suitable (CFI = 0.92; TLI = 0.90, and RMSEA = 0.057). The DII's 18 items version also showed adequate Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, and convergent and discriminant validity with the BIS-11. Therefore, the Br-DII demonstrated reliability and validity in the measurement of functional and dysfunctional impulsivity.

Affective decision-making and tactical behavior of under-15 soccer players

Affective decision-making is a type of Executive Function related to cost benefit analysis in situations where gains and losses imply direct consequences for the subject. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the affective decision-making on tactical behavior in soccer players under the age of 15 years old. The System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT) was used to assess tactical behavior. To evaluate affective decision-making, we used the neuropsychological test called The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). The values of the offensive, defensive and game tactical behavior of participants were used to create performance groups. The low (≤25%) and high (≥75%) groups, according to offensive, defensive and game tactical behavior, were compared and shown to be different. The values of the IGT net score of the participants with low and high tactical behavior were compared using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Statistically significant differences between the groups were observed for Defensive Tactical Behavior (Z = −3.133; p = 0.002; r = −0.355) and Game Tactical Behavior (Z = −2.267; p = 0.023; r = −0.260). According to these results, it is possible to state that affective decision-making can influence the tactical behavior of under-15 soccer players.

The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) in Brazil: a systematic review

Background: Decision-making is a complex, multidimensional cognitive function that requires the choice between two or more options and also the predictive analysis of its consequences. One of the tools most widely used to assess decision-making in neuropsychological research is the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Objective: To conduct a systematic review of articles reporting empirical IGT studies based in Brazil. Method: Articles were obtained from multiple journal databases including ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, SciELO, LILACS, and Scholar Google. Results: Thirty-six studies were included in this review and divided into four categories according to main subject matter (psychiatry & personality; demographic & cultural variables; medical/clinic; and psychometric properties & test administration standardization). In general, there was a significant growth in research employing IGT (Χ² = 17.6, df = 5, p = 0.0003), but this growth was restricted to a few geographic areas of Brazil. The psychiatry & personality subject matter was the most abundant, accounting for 14 publications (39% of the total sample). Conclusion: Since its first adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese in 2006, a growing interest in decision-making as measured by the IGT can be observed, with psychiatry & personality topics representing a large portion of the scientific inquiry to date. Nevertheless, in order to extend the initial results of Brazilian IGT decision-making research, more studies are necessary - across a more diverse range of topics, including demographic & cultural variables, and psychometric properties & test administration standardization, the areas least studied -, as is the dissemination of the IGT to more regions of the country.