We often think of meditation as calming the mind—but it may also help the body work smarter.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that recreational runners who practiced Acem Meditation had better physical work efficiency. How? They produced less lactic acid during exertion, meaning their muscles required less energy to perform the same task.

In a pilot study, meditation also seemed to reduce the immune system suppression typically triggered by high-intensity exercise.

These findings suggest that regular meditation may help the body respond to stress more economically—physically and biologically.

Research references

Solberg EE, Halvorsen R, Sundgot-Borgen J, Ingjer F, Holen A. Meditation: a modulator of the immune response to physical stress? A brief report. Br J Sports Med. 1995;29(4):255-7.

Solberg EE, Ingjer F, Holen A, Sundgot-Borgen J, Nilsson S, Holme I. Stress reactivity to and recovery from a standardised exercise bout: a study of 31 runners practising relaxation techniques. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(4):268-72.

We often think of meditation as calming the mind—but it may also help the body work smarter.

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that recreational runners who practiced Acem Meditation had better physical work efficiency. How? They produced less lactic acid during exertion, meaning their muscles required less energy to perform the same task.

In a pilot study, meditation also seemed to reduce the immune system suppression typically triggered by high-intensity exercise.

These findings suggest that regular meditation may help the body respond to stress more economically—physically and biologically.

Research references

Solberg EE, Halvorsen R, Sundgot-Borgen J, Ingjer F, Holen A. Meditation: a modulator of the immune response to physical stress? A brief report. Br J Sports Med. 1995;29(4):255-7.

Solberg EE, Ingjer F, Holen A, Sundgot-Borgen J, Nilsson S, Holme I. Stress reactivity to and recovery from a standardised exercise bout: a study of 31 runners practising relaxation techniques. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(4):268-72.

Elite athletes already operate at the edge of human performance—so any measurable improvement is rare.

Yet in a scientific study, elite shooters who learned Acem Meditation performed better in competition the following season. The control group—who received sport psychology training—did not show the same improvement.

Interestingly, the difference only showed up under pressure, not during regular training.

This suggests meditation doesn’t enhance skill—but helps athletes stay composed and perform at their best when it really counts.

The key? Learning to stay mentally open and effortless under stress—rather than just pushing harder.

And this insight may apply far beyond sports—to any high-stakes setting where performance matters.

Research references

Solberg EE, Berglund KA, Engen O, Ekeberg O, Loeb M. The effect of meditation on shooting performance. Br J Sports Med. 1996;30(4):342-6.

Elite athletes already operate at the edge of human performance—so any measurable improvement is rare.

Yet in a scientific study, elite shooters who learned Acem Meditation performed better in competition the following season. The control group—who received sport psychology training—did not show the same improvement.

Interestingly, the difference only showed up under pressure, not during regular training.

This suggests meditation doesn’t enhance skill—but helps athletes stay composed and perform at their best when it really counts.

The key? Learning to stay mentally open and effortless under stress—rather than just pushing harder.

And this insight may apply far beyond sports—to any high-stakes setting where performance matters.

Research references

Solberg EE, Berglund KA, Engen O, Ekeberg O, Loeb M. The effect of meditation on shooting performance. Br J Sports Med. 1996;30(4):342-6.

Our blood contains several types of white blood cells that protect us under stress or infection. Normally, these cells increase when the body is under pressure—like a defense mode.

Interestingly, recreational runners who practiced Acem Meditation daily had lower baseline levels of certain white blood cells compared to similar runners who did not meditate.

Yet, after a tough half-marathon, their white blood cell count increased normally—just like non-meditators.

This suggests that meditation may lower the body’s baseline stress, while keeping its defense response fully intact.

Research references

Solberg EE, Halvorsen R, Holen A. Effect of meditation on immune cells. Stress Medicine. 2000;16:185-90.

Our blood contains several types of white blood cells that protect us under stress or infection. Normally, these cells increase when the body is under pressure—like a defense mode.

Interestingly, recreational runners who practiced Acem Meditation daily had lower baseline levels of certain white blood cells compared to similar runners who did not meditate.

Yet, after a tough half-marathon, their white blood cell count increased normally—just like non-meditators.

This suggests that meditation may lower the body’s baseline stress, while keeping its defense response fully intact.

Research references

Solberg EE, Halvorsen R, Holen A. Effect of meditation on immune cells. Stress Medicine. 2000;16:185-90.

Udflydenhed forveksles ofte med spontankoncentration i meditationen. Hvad adskiller de to ting?

Når meditationerne ikke lever op til forventningerne - hva så?

Forventninger bygger på erfaringer, men kan være hindrende for åbenhed og nærvær i meditationen.

Holdningen vi gentager metodelyden med i meditationen, er afgørende.

Tålmodighed, tid, tillid og tilstedeværelse, er vigtige ingredienser.

Det som først oppleves som uro, tvil eller stagnasjon, kan også være begynnelsen på indre forandring. Denne refleksjonen utforsker hvordan motstand i meditasjon ikke nødvendigvis er et hinder, men en del av prosessen som åpner for vekst, klarhet og fornyelse. Innlest av Anne Thomte.