A Matter of (Inner) Balance: The Association Between Facets of Mindfulness, Attention Deficit, and Postural Stability

Mindfulness and motor performance are theoretically related through attention and awareness, yet little research has been conducted to date. The present study was aimed at exploring the role of facets of mindfulness in static and dynamic balance tasks. Specifically, 103 college students and staff completed the five facets of mindfulness questionnaire (which assesses awareness, non-reacting, non-judging, observing, and describe) and participated in eight motor tasks (e.g. standing on 1 ft, tandem walk, etc.). Motor performance was assessed by measuring participants’ mediolateral trunk sway. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the facet of observing was associated with more stable performance in the absence of visual information. Furthermore, predisposed awareness was associated with less stable performance when attention was divided and in the absence of visual information. Moreover, awareness interacted with attention deficit disorder, such that as compared to non-ADD/ADHDs, participants diagnosed with ADD/ADHD performed worse in static balance tasks if their awareness was low but performed better if their awareness was high. However, an opposite pattern was found for dual-task gait performance, thus indicating on stereotype threat effect. These findings are discussed from the perspectives of recent mindful movement and the fringe consciousness frameworks.