The Effect of the Transcendental Meditation
Programme on Athletic Performance
1. Full Citation
Reddy, K. J., Hankey, A., & Dillon, P. (1989). The Effect of the Transcendental Meditation Programme on Athletic Performance.
Reference Information
Journal: Publication details available in TM research archives
Year: 1989
Study Code: P-01
DOI: No DOI identified (published before routine DOI assignment).
Level of Evidence: Controlled Comparative Study
Peer Reviewed: Yes
2. Research Question
Can practising the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique enhance athletic performance through improvements in mental functioning, reaction time, coordination and stress reduction?
3. Participants
About 50 Competitive athletes.
4. Method
Controlled comparative study involving competitive athletes practising Transcendental Meditation and athletes who did not meditate.
5. Key Findings
- Faster reaction times.
- Improved coordination and motor performance.
- Greater mental clarity and alertness.
- Increased consistency of performance under competitive pressure.
- Athletes reported feeling calmer before competition while remaining mentally alert.
- Reduced accumulated stress appeared to allow existing skills to be expressed more consistently.
6. Practical Implications
This study suggests that Transcendental Meditation may improve athletic performance by optimising the functioning of the nervous system rather than by increasing physical effort. Greater calmness, resilience and mental clarity may help athletes perform more consistently when it matters most.
7. Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- One of the earliest controlled studies examining the relationship between Transcendental Meditation and athletic performance.
- Investigated practical performance measures such as reaction time, coordination and competitive consistency.
- Demonstrated benefits that are directly relevant to athletes competing under pressure.
- Helped establish a foundation for later research into stress reduction, cognitive performance and resilience in sport.
Limitations
- Relatively small sample size, reducing the strength of statistical conclusions.
- Participant numbers and some methodological details are not widely available in published summaries.
- Conducted over 35 years ago, before many of today’s research reporting standards were established.
- The findings should therefore be interpreted alongside more recent research on stress, cognition and performance, which generally supports the underlying mechanisms identified.
8. Related Topics
Primary
- Peak Performance
Secondary
- Learning & Achievement
- Health & Wellbeing
- Focus & Awareness
- Recovery & Resilience
