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Meditative pathways to emotional intelligence in athletes: narrative review study
1Tunisian Research Laboratory “Sports Performance Optimization”, National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), (CNMSS-LR09SEP01), 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
2Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, Manouba University, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
3Research Laboratory (LR23JS01) “Sport Performance, Health and Society”, Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, Manouba University, 2010 Tunis, Tunisia
4Department of Physical Education of Sports Teaching, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye
5Department of Coaching Education, Movement and Training Sciences, School of Education and Sport, Gumushane University, 29000 Gumushane, Türkiye
6Department of Sport Management, School of Physical Education and Sports, Gumushane University, 29000 Gumushane, Türkiye
7Management Organization Department, Ayvacık Vocational School, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, 17100 Çanakkale, Türkiye
8Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, University “1 Decembrie 1918” of Alba Iulia, 510009 Alba Iulia, Romania
9Ezine Celalettin Topçu Anatolian High School, Ministry of National Education, 17100 Çanakkale, Türkiye
10Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, 110040 Pitesti, Romania
DOI: 10.22514/jomh.2024.145 Vol.20,Issue 9,September 2024 pp.25-31
Submitted: 27 March 2024 Accepted: 21 May 2024
Published: 30 September 2024
*Corresponding Author(s): Halil İbrahim Ceylan E-mail: halil.ceylan@atauni.edu.tr
*Corresponding Author(s): Muntean Raul-Ioan E-mail: muntean.raul@uab.ro
Emotional intelligence, encompassing self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy and social skills, holds pivotal importance in the pursuit of excellence for athletes. Meditation, represented by various forms such as mindfulness, loving-kindness, visualization, breath control and relaxation exercises, offers athletes a structured pathway to deepen self-awareness, enhance emotional regulation and foster empathy. In conclusion, meditation emerges not merely as a relaxation technique but as a transformative journey that empowers athletes to master their emotions, excel in sports, and enhance their overall well-being. This narrative literature review highlights the profound impact of meditation on athletes’ emotional intelligence, encouraging further exploration in this evolving intersection of sports and mindfulness. In the demanding world of sports, emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical factor for athletes’ success, encompassing self-regulation, empathy, communication and composure under pressure. Meditation, a transformative tool for deepening self-awareness, emotional regulation and mental resilience, has emerged as a promising avenue for cultivating EI in athletes. This narrative review synthesizes existing research and personal narratives to explore the interplay between meditation and EI in the context of sports. Evidence suggests that meditation can enhance EI through mindfulness, loving-kindness and visualization practices, promoting focus, stress management and emotional resilience. Integration of meditation into athletic training regimens offers athletes a competitive edge, sharpening their mental acuity and fostering supportive team dynamics. While the transformative potential of meditation for EI is substantiated by research, limitations such as the predominance of qualitative studies and case reports warrant further empirical investigations. Overall, this narrative review highlights the promising relationship between meditation, EI, and athletic performance, paving the way for future research and practical applications of mindfulness practices in the sports world.
Emotional intelligence; Athletes; Review; Meditation
Hajer Aouani,Walid Selmi,Achraf Hammami,Halil İbrahim Ceylan,Raouf Hammami,Serdar Bayrakdaroğlu,Yeşim Bayrakdaroğlu,Ender Ali Uluç,Muntean Raul-Ioan,Sinem Uluç,Stefanica Valentina. Meditative pathways to emotional intelligence in athletes: narrative review study. Journal of Men's Health. 2024. 20(9);25-31.
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