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Volume 18, Issue 2 (2026)
Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(2): 157-164 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.SARI.REC.1405.049
History
Received: 2026/02/19 | Accepted: 2026/03/29 | Published: 2026/04/8
Received: 2026/02/19 | Accepted: 2026/03/29 | Published: 2026/04/8
How to cite this article
Safaei I, Ahmadi M, Soleymani Tapesari B, Shojaei V, Ozgoli A. Mindfulness and Body Awareness Reduces Anxiety and Improves Sleep in Male Veteran Athletes. Iran J War Public Health 2026; 18 (2) :157-164
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1- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, BG.C. (Bandargaz Campus), Islamic Azad University, Bandargaz, Iran
2- Department of Physical Education, Adib Mazandaran Institute of Higher Education, Mazandaran, Iran
3- Department of Sport Management, Sar.C. (Sari Campus), Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
2- Department of Physical Education, Adib Mazandaran Institute of Higher Education, Mazandaran, Iran
3- Department of Sport Management, Sar.C. (Sari Campus), Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
Abstract (675 Views)
Aims: This study examined the effectiveness of an eight-week mindfulness and body awareness program on anxiety and sleep quality among male veteran athletes.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test–post-test design with a follow-up assessment and a control group. A total of 60 male veteran athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=30) or a control group (n=30). The experimental group participated in a structured eight-week mindfulness and body awareness program consisting of 16 sessions of 90 minutes each, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Analysis of covariance was conducted to analyze the data.
Findings: After controlling for pre-test scores, participants in the intervention group showed significantly lower state anxiety and trait anxiety and significantly improved sleep quality (PSQI) compared with the control group at post-test (all p<0.001). Effect sizes indicated moderate-to-large benefits of the intervention (partial η²=0.24 for state anxiety, 0.22 for trait anxiety, and 0.27 for sleep quality). Paired-samples t-tests showed significant pre-test to post-test improvements within the intervention group across outcomes (p<0.001), whereas the control group showed no significant changes (p>0.05). These improvements were maintained at the four-week follow-up, including increased mindful awareness (MAAS: 3.2±0.5 to 4.1±0.4; follow-up 4.0±0.4) and body awareness (BAQ: 3.0±0.6 to 4.0±0.5; follow-up 3.9±0.5), with all relevant comparisons significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The mindfulness and body awareness training in effective in reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality among male veteran athletes.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test–post-test design with a follow-up assessment and a control group. A total of 60 male veteran athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=30) or a control group (n=30). The experimental group participated in a structured eight-week mindfulness and body awareness program consisting of 16 sessions of 90 minutes each, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Analysis of covariance was conducted to analyze the data.
Findings: After controlling for pre-test scores, participants in the intervention group showed significantly lower state anxiety and trait anxiety and significantly improved sleep quality (PSQI) compared with the control group at post-test (all p<0.001). Effect sizes indicated moderate-to-large benefits of the intervention (partial η²=0.24 for state anxiety, 0.22 for trait anxiety, and 0.27 for sleep quality). Paired-samples t-tests showed significant pre-test to post-test improvements within the intervention group across outcomes (p<0.001), whereas the control group showed no significant changes (p>0.05). These improvements were maintained at the four-week follow-up, including increased mindful awareness (MAAS: 3.2±0.5 to 4.1±0.4; follow-up 4.0±0.4) and body awareness (BAQ: 3.0±0.6 to 4.0±0.5; follow-up 3.9±0.5), with all relevant comparisons significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The mindfulness and body awareness training in effective in reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality among male veteran athletes.
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