Abstract
Existing mindfulness and acceptance-commitment programs in elite sport have ignored elite athletes with a physical disability. A pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted to determine if an eight-session mindfulness-acceptance-commitment program delivered within a motivational interviewing framework would enhance well-being in Para-Sport athletes. Eighteen Para-Sport athletes were randomly assigned to either intervention (n = 9) or waitlist control (n = 9) groups, with the intervention group attending eight 60-minute face-to-face individual sessions. Analysis of covariance showed statistically significant improvements in the primary outcomes of satisfaction with life (subjective well-being), personal growth, positive relation with others (psychological well-being) with large effect sizes (i.e., partial eta squared range = .23 to .30). Significant improvements for secondary outcomes were observed for a reduction in perceptions of pain (physical well-being). Although not statistically significant, moderate to large effect sizes in favour of the intervention group were also seen for multiple domains of subjective and psychological well-being. No significant or practically meaningful effect sizes were seen for social well-being. This trial provides some preliminary evidence that combining mindfulness-acceptance interventions with motivational interviewing can result in meaningful well-being improvements. Future research is needed to confirm the efficacy of this approach in adequately powered sample sizes.
Highlights
Elite athletes are required to maintain exceptional standards of performance with high training loads and short periods of recovery time (Ho, Appleton, Cumming, & Duda, 2015)
Participants allocated to the intervention group received the Mindfulness Acceptance Commitment (MAC) program delivered within an motivational interviewing (MI) framework and participants allocated to the wait list control group continued their usual activities for eight weeks
We have provided preliminary support through a pilot randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for the use of the MAC program delivered within an MI framework to improve the perceived well-being of athletes in Para Sports
Summary
Elite athletes are required to maintain exceptional standards of performance with high training loads and short periods of recovery time (Ho, Appleton, Cumming, & Duda, 2015). Athletes in Para Sports may experience stress during classification processes and setbacks associated with this or during a drug testing experience complete with the added complications of a catheter (Martin, 2012; Powell & Myers, 2017). These examples can be further amplified through a complex interaction of physical pain, trauma and recovery, difficulties with emotional regulation, and a lack of self-acceptance
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