Mindfulness and Breathing: A Game Changer for Female Athletes?

Female athletes often face unique challenges. A recent study looked at how a special training program could help them perform better. The program mixed yoga and psychology. It was tested on 56 young women, all athletes. They were split into two groups. One group did the special training. The other did not. The training lasted eight weeks. It included breathing exercises, visualization, meditation, and mindfulness. After the training, the athletes showed big improvements. They felt more confident and in control. Their mental strength got a boost. They also became better at being present and not reacting to stress. Their focus improved too. But, the training did not change their anxiety levels much. This suggests that more work is needed in that area. The study shows that mental training can make a big difference. But, it might need to be longer or more specific to help with anxiety. Future research could look at how these benefits hold up over time. It could also see if the training works as well in real competitions.