The Effect of Mindfulness Training on Sports Orientation and Attitudes Toward Doping in Male Weightlifters

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Psychology, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Tehran, Iran

2 Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22091/frs.2026.13805.1105

Abstract

Objective: Successful athletic performance in high-level competitions requires the integration of physiological, psychological, and interpersonal capacities and preparedness. Mindfulness training has gained attention as a psychological intervention for athletes. The present study aimed to examine the effect of mindfulness training on sports orientation and attitudes toward doping in weightlifters.
Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. Twenty-four skilled male weightlifters (aged 18–25 years) who formally competed in national and international competitions were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The intervention was conducted according to the Gardner and Moore (2007) Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) program for eight weeks, with one 50-minute session per week. Data were collected using the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS) and the Sports Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ). Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version 26, with a significance level set at p < .05
Results: The results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups at the posttest stage. Mindfulness training had a significant effect on sports goal orientation and attitudes toward doping in weightlifters (p < .05).
Conclusion: It appears that mindfulness training may contribute to the formation of positive attitudes against doping and the enhancement of sports orientations in weightlifters, although further research in this area is recommended.

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  • Receive Date: 04 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 19 April 2026
  • Publish Date: 22 June 2026