THE IMPACT OF MINDFULNESS MEDITATION ON CHANGES IN RESTING-STATE ALPHA RHYTHM ACTIVITY IN COMPETITIVE ATHLETES: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term mindfulness meditation training on the bioelectrical activity of the brain in elite athletes. Thirty-two athletes competing at the national team or Polish championship level participated in the study, representing swimming (n = 10), judo (n = 15), and water polo (n = 7). All participants completed a 7-day mindfulness meditation training program. Methods: Brain bioelectrical activity was assessed using quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) before and after the training cycle. Recordings were obtained from 15 electrodes positioned according to the international 10–20 system. Absolute alpha frequency power (8–12 Hz) and the alpha/beta ratio (alpha: 8–12 Hz; beta: 15–20 Hz) were analyzed. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to compare pre- and post-intervention measurements across all 15 EEG sites, with additional subgroup analyses according to sport discipline. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant changes in EEG activity after the 7-day mindfulness training only in selected subgroups of athletes. The most pronounced effects were found in right-handed female judo athletes, who demonstrated a decrease in alpha power at electrodes Cz and C4, along with an increase in the alpha/beta ratio at electrodes P3 and Pz. No statistically significant differences were found in the overall study group; however, the lowest p-values (p < 0.07) suggested trends toward changes at electrodes C4, F8, and Cz. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings suggest that a brief mindfulness intervention may modulate brain bioelectrical activity in a manner dependent on sex and sport discipline. The observed changes may be related to improvements in self-regulation, attentional control, and perceptual-motor preparation. These findings are preliminary. Further research involving larger samples and task-based conditions is required to more precisely determine the significance of these effects for athletes’ functioning and performance.