The effects of the Mindfulness, Acceptance and Self-Compassion in Sport (MASCS) program on the sport anxiety and self-compassion of elite tennis players

Abstract

This study examined the effect of a twelve-session Mindfulness, Acceptance and Self-Compassion in Sport (MASCS) program on self-compassion and somatic anxiety, worry and concentration disruption sub-dimensions of sport anxiety in elite tennis players. A randomized control group pretest and post-test experimental design was used in this study. The study involved sixteen elite tennis players attending a tennis club. Their ages ranged between 12 and 18 years, with a mean age of 14.25. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 and the Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form were used as data collection instruments before and after the program. Elite tennis players in the experimental group participated in the MASCS program once a week for twelve weeks. The results showed that after the MASCS program, there was an increase in self-compassion and a decrease in somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption sub-dimensions of sport anxiety in the experimental group. There were also significant differences between self-compassion and the somatic anxiety and concentration disruption sub-dimensions of sport anxiety post-test scores of the experimental and control groups in favor of the experimental group. These findings suggest that elite athletes can improve their ability to cope with anxiety in sports by practicing mindfulness and self-compassion exercises.

Lay summary: A twelve-session Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Self-Compassion in Sport program decreased somatic anxiety and concentration disruption in elite tennis players. The Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Self-Compassion in Sports program increased self-compassion in elite tennis players.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

• The MASCS program has great potential in decreasing somatic anxiety and concentration disruption dimensions of sport anxiety and increasing self-compassion in elite athletes.

• More exercises focusing on cognitive processes can be included in the program to increase the program’s effectiveness on the worry sub-dimension of sport anxiety.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Statement of authorship

The authors have a responsibility for the conception and design of the study. The authors have approved the final article.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.