Mindfulness Training in University Badminton Athletes

NCT07852533 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-KL047
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness training on competitive anxiety, attentional control, psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and badminton skill performance among university badminton athletes in Jiangxi, China. A cluster-randomized controlled trial will be conducted, with universities assigned to either a mindfulness intervention group or an active control group. Participants in the intervention group will receive a 7-week Mindfulness-Acceptance-Insight-Commitment (MAIC) program in addition to their regular badminton training, while participants in the control group will receive a documentary-based active control intervention in addition to the same regular badminton training. Psychological outcomes and badminton skill performance will be assessed at baseline (Week 0), during the intervention (Week 4), and at the end of the intervention (Week 7).

Conditions

Psychological Flexibility; Competitive Anxiety; Attentional Control

Keywords

Mindfulness; Mindfulness Training; Mindfulness-Acceptance-Insight-Commitment; MAIC; Badminton; Badminton Athletes; University Athletes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (9)

• Competitive Trait Anxiety Assessed Using the Chinese Version of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2)

  Competitive trait anxiety will be assessed using the Chinese version of the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), originally developed by Smith et al. (2006) and adapted for use in Chinese populations by Zhang et al. (2023). The Chinese version consists of 15 items across three subscales: Worry, Somatic Anxiety, and Concentration Disruption. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much). Each subscale consists of five items, with scores ranging from 5 to 20. Higher scores indicate higher levels of competitive trait anxiety in the corresponding dimension.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Competitive State Anxiety Assessed Using the Chinese Revised Version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2)

  Competitive state anxiety will be assessed using the Chinese revised version of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), originally developed by Martens et al. (1990) and revised for use in Chinese populations by Zhu (1994). The Chinese version consists of 27 items across three subscales: Cognitive Anxiety, Somatic Anxiety, and Self-Confidence. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Each subscale consists of nine items, with scores ranging from 9 to 36. Higher scores indicate higher levels of cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, or self-confidence, respectively.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Attentional Control Assessed Using the Chinese 16-Item Attentional Control Scale (ACS-C-16)

  Attentional control will be assessed using the Chinese 16-Item Attentional Control Scale (ACS-C-16), adapted from the original Attentional Control Scale (ACS) developed by Derryberry and Reed (2002). The Chinese version was developed and validated by He (2020). The ACS-C-16 consists of 16 items assessing two dimensions: attentional focusing and attentional shifting. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale. A total score is calculated by summing the item scores, with higher scores indicating greater attentional control.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Psychological Flexibility Assessed Using the Chinese Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory-24 (C-MPFI-24)

  Psychological flexibility will be assessed using the Chinese Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory-24 (C-MPFI-24), adapted from the original Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI) developed by Rolffs et al. (2018). The Chinese version was validated by Fang et al. (2024). The C-MPFI-24 consists of 24 items assessing dimensions of psychological flexibility and inflexibility. Higher scores on the psychological flexibility dimensions indicate greater psychological flexibility, whereas higher scores on the psychological inflexibility dimensions indicate greater psychological inflexibility.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Badminton Smash Skill Performance Assessed Using the Smash Test

  Badminton smash skill performance will be assessed using the Smash Test described by Chang (1980). Participants will complete 20 test trials after three practice trials. For each trial, points are awarded based on shuttle flight and the target area in which the shuttle lands. The maximum score for each trial is 7 points, consisting of a maximum shuttle flight score of 2 points and a maximum target score of 5 points. Scores from the 20 trials are summed to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 140, with higher scores indicating better smash skill performance.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Badminton Clear Skill Performance Assessed Using the Clear Test

  Badminton clear skill performance will be assessed using the Clear Test described by French and Stalter (1949). Participants will complete 20 test trials after two practice trials. For each trial, the participant performs a clear stroke over a rope positioned 8 feet above the floor and 14 feet from the net, aiming for the designated target area in the backcourt. The target area is divided into five scoring zones valued at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 points. A shuttle landing on a boundary line is awarded the higher point value. A shuttle that fails to pass over the rope or lands outside the designated target area receives 0 points. The scores from all 20 trials are summed to obtain the final Clear Test score, with higher total scores indicating better clear skill performance.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Badminton Short Serve Skill Performance Assessed Using the Short Serve Test

  Badminton short serve skill performance will be assessed using the Short Serve Test described by French and Stalter (1949). Participants will complete 20 test trials. For each trial, the shuttle must pass between the top of the net and a rope positioned 20 inches above the net and land in the designated target area in the opposite service court. Points are awarded according to the scoring zone in which the shuttle lands. A shuttle landing on a boundary line is awarded the higher point value. If the shuttle hits the rope, the trial is not scored and is repeated. Scores from the 20 trials are summed to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better short serve skill performance.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Badminton Long Serve Skill Performance Assessed Using the Long Serve Test

  Badminton long serve skill performance will be assessed using the Long Serve Test described by Chang (1980). Participants will complete 20 test trials after three practice trials. For each trial, the shuttle flight and landing accuracy are scored separately. Two points are awarded if the shuttle passes over the restricted-height rope, and one point is awarded if it passes below the rope. The target area consists of five scoring zones valued from 1 to 5 points. A shuttle landing on a boundary line is awarded the higher point value, while a shuttle landing outside the target area receives 0 points. A trial in which the shuttle contacts the restricted-height rope is repeated. The maximum score for each trial is 7 points, consisting of a maximum shuttle flight score of 2 points and a maximum target score of 5 points. Scores from the 20 trials are summed to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 140, with higher scores indicating better long serve skill performance.

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

• Badminton Overhead Drop Shot Skill Performance Assessed Using the Overhead Drop Shot Test

  Badminton overhead drop shot skill performance will be assessed using the Overhead Drop Shot Test described by Chang (1980). Participants will complete 20 test trials after three practice trials. For each trial, the shuttle flight and landing accuracy are scored separately. Two points are awarded if the shuttle passes through the space between the net and the restricting rope, and one point is awarded if the shuttle passes over the rope. The target area consists of five scoring zones valued from 1 to 5 points. A shuttle landing on a boundary line is awarded the higher point value, while a shuttle landing outside the target area or a missed return receives 0 points. A trial in which the shuttle contacts the restricting rope is repeated. The maximum score for each trial is 7 points, consisting of a maximum shuttle flight score of 2 points and a maximum target score of 5 points. Scores from the 20 trials are summed to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 140, with higher scores indicat

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Mindfulness Assessed Using the Chinese Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (Ch-FFMQ)

  Three assessment time points: baseline before the intervention begins (Week 0), mid-intervention after completion of the first four weeks of the intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention immediately after completion of the 7-week intervention (Week 7)

Study Arms (2)

MAIC Training Group (MT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive a 7-week Mindfulness-Acceptance-Insight-Commitment (MAIC) program in addition to their regular badminton training. The MAIC program will be delivered once per week, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes.

Behavioral: Mindfulness-Acceptance-Insight-Commitment (MAIC) Program

Documentary-Based Active Control Group (CG)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive a 7-week documentary-based active control intervention in addition to their regular badminton training. The active control intervention will be delivered once per week with a schedule comparable to that of the MAIC training group and will not include mindfulness-specific training content.

Behavioral: Documentary-Based Active Control Intervention

Interventions

Mindfulness-Acceptance-Insight-Commitment (MAIC) Program BEHAVIORAL

The MAIC program will be delivered over 7 weeks, with one approximately 60-minute session per week. The program will be delivered online via video conferencing by a qualified and experienced MAIC practitioner. Each session will include review and reflection, knowledge instruction and psychoeducation, badminton-related case discussion, in-class mindfulness practice, and homework assignments. The seven sessions will cover preparation for mindfulness training, mindfulness, mindful attention and awareness, mindful acceptance, values and insight, engagement, and integration. Participants will continue their regular badminton training throughout the intervention period.

MAIC Training Group (MT)

Documentary-Based Active Control Intervention BEHAVIORAL

The documentary-based active control intervention will be delivered over 7 weeks, with one session per week. Each session will include a topic introduction, documentary viewing, guided group discussion and reflection, and homework assignments. The documentaries will focus on badminton athletes and sport-related themes but will not include mindfulness-specific training or practice. The duration and frequency of the active control sessions will be comparable to those of the MAIC program. Participants will continue their regular badminton training throughout the intervention period.

Documentary-Based Active Control Group (CG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• University badminton athletes aged 18-24 years.
• Have at least 2 years of badminton training experience.
• Have participated in badminton competitions at the university level or above.
• Willing to participate in the study and provide informed consent.
• Able to participate in the 7-week intervention and complete the required assessments.

You may not qualify if:

• Have an injury or medical condition that prevents participation in regular badminton training or skill performance tests.
• Currently participating in another mindfulness-based training or psychological intervention program.
• Unable to attend the intervention sessions or complete the required assessments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiti Putra Malaysia: lead

Central Study Contacts

Linge Wang

CONTACT

01151181825; wanglinge2024@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate

Model Details: This study uses a cluster-randomized controlled trial (CRCT) with a parallel-group design. Participating universities will serve as clusters and will be randomly assigned to either the MAIC training group or the active control group. Participants will be assessed at three time points: baseline (Week 0), first post-test (Week 4), and second post-test (Week 7).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2026
• First Posted: October 1, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: October 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share