Effects of practicing aikido on mindfulness and anxiety in Costa Rican university students

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of practicing aikido on mindfulness and anxiety state in university students with no previous experience in martial arts. We used an intra-subjects quasi-experimental design with Pre and Post treatment measurements, with an active control group (physical education students). Mindfulness was measured with the MAAS scale, whereas anxiety with the Hamilton scale. A training program focused on learning and practicing various aikido techniques (waza), and the way in which these techniques (ukemi) should be received, was implemented during 11 weeks (2 weekly sessions of 2 hours each). Experimental group: n = 12, with ages between 18 and 62 years old. Control group: n = 12 students, with ages between 21 and 34 years old. Results: the practice of aikido showed significant effect sizes of moderate magnitude in both mindfulness and anxiety. Age does not explain these findings. Follow-up studies are recommended.