Mindfulness in Exercise Psychology

Mindfulness is a popular strategy to enhance well-being and shows potential for fostering exercise motivation and behavior. Mindful movement has long been practiced (e.g., yoga, tai chi), but empirical evidence on mindfulness in exercise has only recently emerged. This chapter outlines the key features of mindfulness and reviews research linking mindfulness to exercise experiences, motivation, and behavior. Theoretical explanations are provided for how and why mindfulness can play a role in exercise. Five key readings are suggested that highlight what is known about mindfulness in exercise psychology. Five questions are posed in detail that will help move the field forward in understanding mindfulness in exercise. Questions address theoretical, methodological, and applied issues that have yet to be thoroughly explored in the literature.