2

fa Mindfulness and Body Awareness Reduces Anxiety and Improves Sleep in Male Veteran Athletes Aims: This study examined the effectiveness of an eight-week mindfulness and body awareness program on anxiety and sleep quality among male veteran athletes. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test–post-test design with a follow-up assessment and a control group. A total of 60 male veteran athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=30) or a control group (n=30). The experimental group participated in a structured eight-week mindfulness and body awareness program consisting of 16 sessions of 90 minutes each, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Analysis of covariance was conducted to analyze the data. Findings: After controlling for pre-test scores, participants in the intervention group showed significantly lower state anxiety and trait anxiety and significantly improved sleep quality (PSQI) compared with the control group at post-test (all p<0.001). Effect sizes indicated moderate-to-large benefits of the intervention (partial η²=0.24 for state anxiety, 0.22 for trait anxiety, and 0.27 for sleep quality). Paired-samples t-tests showed significant pre-test to post-test improvements within the intervention group across outcomes (p<0.001), whereas the control group showed no significant changes (p>0.05). These improvements were maintained at the four-week follow-up, including increased mindful awareness (MAAS: 3.2±0.5 to 4.1±0.4; follow-up 4.0±0.4) and body awareness (BAQ: 3.0±0.6 to 4.0±0.5; follow-up 3.9±0.5), with all relevant comparisons significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The mindfulness and body awareness training in effective in reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality among male veteran athletes.   Anxiety,Human Body,Mindfulness,Sleep Quality, 157 164 http://ijwph.daneshafarand.org/browse.php?a_code=A--1-115&slc_lang=fa&sid=3 I. Safaei 1003194753284600380598 1003194753284600380598 No Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, BG.C. (Bandargaz Campus), Islamic Azad University, Bandargaz, Iran M. Ahmadi 1003194753284600380599 1003194753284600380599 No Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, BG.C. (Bandargaz Campus), Islamic Azad University, Bandargaz, Iran B. Soleymani Tapesari 1003194753284600380600 1003194753284600380600 No Department of Physical Education, Adib Mazandaran Institute of Higher Education, Mazandaran, Iran V. Shojaei 1003194753284600380601 1003194753284600380601 Yes Department of Sport Management, Sar.C. (Sari Campus), Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran A. Ozgoli 1003194753284600380602 1003194753284600380602 No Department of Sport Management, Sar.C. (Sari Campus), Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran