A Scientific Look at Mindfulness

Mindfulness can broadly be defined as: Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally. Mindfulness is a power word these days as we begin to learn more about the distinct connection between our body and mind, especially for athletes looking to take their skiing to the next level. 

Posted HERE is a study from the International Review of Sport and Exercise Physiology titled Attentional Focus and Motor Learning: A Review of 15 Years

Mindfulness practice improves concentration (staying focused, shifting focus, getting re-focused…all of which are great for performance)

This study indicates that adopting an external focus of attention improves both learning and performance for physical activity 

Having an external focus improves:

·     Movement effectiveness (e.g., balance, accuracy)

·     Movement efficiency (e.g., muscular activity, force production, speed/endurance)

·     Movement kinematics (e.g., movement patterns)

Adopting an external focus when learning skills, refining these skills, and performing these skills increases “functional variability” (i.e., your motor system will automatically adjust to achieve the desired movement effect). 

The automaticity resulting from an external focus makes performance more resistant to skill failure under pressure which is obviously an incredibly powerful tool for a ski racer or any athlete to have on race day.