Mindfulness Mechanisms and Stress Level During a Mind-Body Intervention: An Eight-Week Correlational Study of Taekwondo Practitioners

Despite the popularity of mindfulness-based interventions in behavioral health to cope with stress, the theoretical understanding of mindfulness mechanisms are still in development. Mindfulness-based treatments though promising have not been studied among physically active Taekwondo practitioners, to examine which mechanisms (if any) specifically correlate with a positive stress effect among those engaged in a 'mindful' mode of exercise. The extant literature on mindfulness mechanisms and stress level does not clearly delineate between the salutary effects of exercise and the possible salutary effects of mindfulness training; this creates a potential confound. Taekwondo practitioners participated in this quantitative, non-equivalent groups study, helping fill a current theoretical gap in the literature to better understand the potential mindfulness mechanisms influencing the potential salutary effects on stress level through mindfulness training among Taekwondo practitioners. A sample of 128 adult Taekwondo practitioners was invited to participate in an eight week study, with 51 (n = 51) respondents participating. The relationship between the different mindfulness mechanisms and stress level among Taekwondo practitioners was examined to enhance current theory and understanding of the specific mindfulness mechanisms as they relate to stress levels. Statistical analysis also helped clarify which mindfulness mechanisms were most impacted (if any) by mindfulness training based on gender (male/female), age cohort (18--29; 30--39; 40--49; 50--59; 60--69; 70 and older) and years of martial arts experience (beginner/up to 2 yrs; intermediate/3--5 yrs; advanced/6+ yrs). Mindfulness mechanisms did not significantly correlate with stress level; however mindfulness training reduced stress level among the Taekwondo practitioners. Recommendations were given for future study, including increasing both geographic region and sample size for greater generalizability and confirmation of results.