Abstract
We situate mindfulness training (MT) within the emerging field of performance neuroscience and examine its role in optimizing performance across sport and tactical settings. Both settings require sustained performance under demanding real-world conditions that can degrade attentional control, a core function supporting goal-aligned performance. In this chapter, we begin by reviewing evidence that MT improves cognitive, affective, social, perceptual, and motor functions and posit that these benefits support performance through MT’s strengthening of attentional control. Next, we review MT research within sport and tactical settings, highlighting meta-analytic evidence that MT enhances holistic fitness. Acknowledging current research challenges and limitations, we suggest that MT’s ability to strengthen attention and related skills may be uniquely advantageous. We then propose that MT should be offered as foundational training that benefits performance both directly and indirectly by enhancing the effective use of performance strategies such as Psychological Skills Training (PST). We conclude that while further research is needed, MT shows promise and provides a useful neurocognitive training framework for performance neuroscience.