正念訓練對於壓力下耐力表現之影響：額葉不對稱性之中介角色

Abstract

左側額葉相對活化程度係運動員巔峰耐力表現時的大腦活化狀態，而其意涵代表維持較高的正向情緒。然實際競情境運動員須面對壓力帶來的情緒挑戰，故可能難以為此狀態。正念訓練 (mindfulness training, MT) 可提升耐力表現，然對其機制歷程以及考量壓力情境後是否仍具生態效度，則尚不清楚。同時，MT亦可促進遭遇情緒挑戰時的左側額葉相對活化程度。故本研究將探討正念介入係否改善壓力下耐力表現與遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化量，以及遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化量係否為正念介入提升壓力下耐力表現之中介。本研究共招募60位耐力運動員，並隨機分派至實驗組 (進行為期八週之MT) 或等候名單控制組。前後測主要測量遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化，以及壓力下之耐力表現 (即：VO2max與力竭時間)。統計分析採用2 (前後測) × 2 (組別) 因子重複量數共變數分析，檢驗MT對遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化，以及對壓力下耐力表現的效果；中介分析檢驗遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化係否為MT影響壓力下耐力表現的機轉。結果發現MT延長壓力下力竭時間；然而對壓力下VO2max及遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化無顯著效果。綜上述，八週MT雖未以遭遇壓力時左側額葉相對活化程度變化為機制，但仍可提升壓力下耐力表現，此顯示MT仍係具生態效度的心理介入策略。未來研究須持續探討MT的作用機制，提供運動員更精準的訓練指引。Higher left frontal cortex (LFC) activation, which reflects a more positive emotional state, is associated with peak endurance performance (EP). However, in actual competitive situations, athletes may struggle to maintain this state due to the emotional challenges posed by stress. Mindfulness training (MT) can enhance EP, but its underlying mechanisms and the ecological validity of stress considerations remain unclear. Notably, MT can also increase LFC activation during emotional challenges. The study aimed to investigate the effect of MT on EP and LFC activation alterations under stress, and also examined whether LFC activation alterations mediated the effect of MT on EP. 60 endurance athletes were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving 8 weeks of MT or a waitlist control. Primary pre- and post-test assessments included LFC activation alterations and EP (VO2max and time to exhaustion) under stress. Data were analyzed using a 2 × 2 repeated measures ANCOVA. Results showed MT increased time to exhaustion under stress but did not significantly affect VO2max or LFC activation alterations. While MT did not directly impact LFC activation, it still improved EP under stress. This demonstrates the ecological validity of MT as an intervention for athletes. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms of MT to provide more precise training guidelines.