Wrestling, as an elite contact sport, requires rapid information processing, high concentration, and emotion regulation under pressure. At this level, performance errors often stem not from technical weakness, but from an inability to manage focus and emotions. Performance anxiety, by disrupting cognitive processing and reducing working memory capacity, threatens rapid decision-making—a crucial factor in wrestling. According to the anxiety-direction theory, an athlete's interpretation of arousal (as a threat versus a challenge) determines attentional focus and, consequently, performance. Therefore, success hinges on the ability to maintain task-focused attention in the presence of stressors. In this context, psychological resilience—the ability to return to an optimal state after pressure—is a key determinant.



To enhance these capacities, third-wave psychological interventions such as Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) therapy have gained attention. MAC emphasizes actively accepting internal experiences (such as anxiety), maintaining present-moment attention, and committing to performance values, rather than suppressing negative thoughts. This approach helps wrestlers maintain focus on skill-relevant cues during critical situations (e.g., intense physical pressure). Evidence indicates that MAC can reduce anxiety, improve attentional control, and enhance the psychological resilience of elite athletes, thereby effectively promoting performance under pressure.