Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning
Scientific Journal

The Effect of Quadrato Motor Meditation Training on the Three Main Cores of the Executive Function of Semi-Skilled Athletes

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license

Authors

Moniralsadat Arvin 1
Zohreh Meshkati 2
Rokhsareh Badami 3

1 Department of Motor behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Department of Motor behavior, Faculty of Sport Sciences , Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Department of Motor behavior , Faculty of Sport Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22059/jsmdl.2024.383822.1804
Abstract
Introduction: Executive functions are a vital indicator of athletic success, and one of the interventions that can influence them is Quadrato motor meditation. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of these trainings at the behavioral level on the executive function of semi-skilled athletes
Methods: One hundred semi-skilled female athletes aged 15 to 18 years were selected via convenience sampling from shooters in Yazd province and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Each component of executive function was assessed in separate sessions. The Quadrato motor meditation intervention was performed for 28 days, six minutes per day. The post-test was then administered following the same protocol as the pre-test. Data were analyzed using multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS software, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
Results: The findings showed that Quadrato motor trainings were effective in increasing scores in interference and asymmetries of response from the response inhibition dimension, the two subcategories, and persistence from the cognitive flexibility dimension, and also in improving performance in the working memory dimension during the post-test phase. These improvements amounted to 12.6% in response inhibition, 21.6% in working memory, and 18% in cognitive flexibility.
Conclusion: The results of this study are consistent with structural and functional brain research. Quadrato motor meditation training had a positive effect on the three core components of executive function at the behavioral level and could serve as an appropriate intervention to enhance executive functioning in athletes.

Keywords

Cognitive Flexibility
Executive Functioning
Inhibition of Response
Quadrato
Working Memory
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Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning
Volume 17, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 53-74

  • Receive Date 18 October 2024
  • Revise Date 19 December 2024
  • Accept Date 28 December 2024

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