The Impact of Yoga and Mindfulness Training on Reducing Ground-Based Separation Anxiety during High Apparatus Skills in Gymnastics

Authors

• Zahraa Hazim Yuneus, University of Baghdad, College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for women, IraqFollow
• Liqa' Abdulzahra Obaid, University of Baghdad, College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for women, IraqFollow
• Hind Waleed Kalf, University of Baghdad, College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for women, IraqFollow
• Hind Salem Tayeh, University of Baghdad, College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for women, IraqFollow

Abstract

Modern sports increasingly recognize psychological factors alongside physical performance. In gymnastics, emotional stability is critical, particularly for high-flying skills that involve significant heights, aerial spins, and precise landings. These demands make gymnasts vulnerable to fear, separation anxiety, and loss of control during flight, leading to hesitation, reduced confidence, and technical errors. The study aims to develop a training program integrating yoga and mindfulness to reduce ground-separation anxiety and improve high-altitude skill performance. The research hypothesizes statistically significant differences between pre- and post-tests in both anxiety levels and skill performance, favoring the post-test. An experimental methodology was adopted, with a purposive sample of 25 junior gymnasts from Hilla Gymnastics Club — 20 for the main experiment and 5 for exploratory purposes. The findings demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in separation anxiety scores, dropping from a baseline mean of 54.30 at pretest to 41.85 at posttest, with a t-value of 8.96, which corresponds to a 22.9% decrease. Concurrently, performance accuracy was markedly enhanced, falling from 5.24 cm to 2.95 cm. The study concluded that yoga and mindfulness exercises effectively reduced separation anxiety among junior gymnasts, improved flight accuracy and balance, and enhanced landing quality. The research recommends incorporating yoga and mindfulness into daily training, regularly monitoring players' psychological well-being, training coaches in relaxation and mental focus techniques, and creating a safe training environment that builds performance confidence, and this achieves one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations in Iraq which is (Quality Education).

Article Type

Special Issue Article

First Page

337

Last Page

345

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Yuneus, Zahraa Hazim; Obaid, Liqa' Abdulzahra; Kalf, Hind Waleed; and Tayeh, Hind Salem (2026) "The Impact of Yoga and Mindfulness Training on Reducing Ground-Based Separation Anxiety during High Apparatus Skills in Gymnastics," Modern Sport: Vol. 25: Iss. 3, Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54702/2708-3454.2146