Mind over muscle

In sports, both physical and mental limitations affect sports performance. The psychobiological model, proposed by Samuele Marcora, suggests that these limitations are perceived and regulated by the rate of perception of effort (RPE). The RPE is thought to be a conscious sensation of how heavy and strenuous an exercise is perceived. Studies regarding mindfulness revealed that mindfulness positively affect the RPE (e.g. reduce the RPE). Mindfulness has also been positively linked to enhance physical components such as the heart rate variability (HVR). Therefore, this study examined in what way mindfulness relates to RPE and HRV during physical (sport) performance. The general research question is: Do RPE and HRV improve with a brief Mindfulness-based training (MBT)? The study found no effect of MBT on RPE and HRV. This study is one of the first to explore the relationship between mindfulness and RPE. Alternative explanations are discussed and directions for future research implications are considered which provide valuable information for future research.