Psychological dimensions of sport and active living: Impacts on health and performance

In the domain of health care and society, there is growing recognition of the pivotal role of promoting healthy lifestyle habits, including sport, leisure, and active living, in disease prevention and community well-being. An essential aspect of overall health and participation in sport encompasses a balanced diet, restful sleep, and stress management, with physical activity and active recreation serving as key components. Within the sphere of sport and leisure, there is a burgeoning focus on psychological variables affecting lifestyle habits—such as meditation and preventive exercise—as well as factors influencing sporting experiences, including injury avoidance, psychological comfort, and the pursuit of excellence.

In recent years, a surge in mind-body interventions has reflected a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to health within sport, leisure, and event contexts. This approach emphasizes the interplay between mental health, sports performance, and active participation, and supports a culture of inclusion and well-being in sport communities, including those shaped by gender, age, and diversity. Research has increasingly highlighted the significance of body awareness, adaptive success beliefs, and self-compassionate performance perspectives for individuals and teams, underlining a conscious, informed approach toward sporting and active lifestyles across both competitive and recreational environments.

This Research Topic aims to explore the intersection of mental and physical health within the broader context of sport, leisure, and active living, considering both organized sport and community-based or event-related physical activity. More specifically, it examines psychological interventions that enhance sports performance as well as overall well-being and active participation, while unraveling the synergies between mindfulness, self-efficacy, and physical training across diverse social and cultural contexts. Key research questions include how mindfulness-based interventions impact individual and team sports, leisure settings, and event participation; the role of body awareness in group and community sport; and the adaptation of psychological measures across different cultural and gender groups within sport and leisure. By addressing these inquiries, this topic aims to inform evidence-based practices for fostering mental wellness and inclusive participation in sports, leisure, and event contexts.

To gather further insights in the realm of sports, leisure, and psychological health, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Impact of mental health and psychological interventions on sports, leisure, and event participation and performance
• Development and implementation of psychological training programs within sports clubs, community groups, or during events
• The role of mindfulness and meditation techniques in sporting, leisure, and recreation settings
• Cross-cultural comparisons and gender considerations in sports and leisure psychology
• Experimental studies on psychological interventions for enhanced participation and performance in sport and leisure activities

We also encourage submissions of various article types, including descriptive, correlational, and experimental studies, as well as reviews or meta-analyses offering novel insights into sport psychology, leisure, and active living. Special emphasis will be placed on studies addressing gender disparities, prioritizing women's participation and highlighting their significant roles within the domains of sport, leisure, and events.

Keywords: Psychological Interventions, Mindfulness, Sport Psychology, Health Care, Active Living

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.