*Limitations*

Some of the limits of the research are related to self–reported data for understanding the concepts of mindfulness and self-regulation, the convenience sample typically biases [55,56]. Other limitations are due to the cross-sectional research design used; therefore, we cannot express any causal inferences from the obtained results.

## **9. Conclusions**

The data obtained is relevant both for those who practice handball and their coaches. Often, young aged Romanian sportsmen have the tendency of being competitive, using an external referential, either the opinion of the coach, or the motor qualities of other fellow players. They leave for a second level the internal referential, obtaining a state of well-being and the development of capacities by relating to their own self. Thus, they tend to experience a high level of anxiety and mistrust in their own forces, which visibly diminishes sport performances. They are aware to a too small extent that internal limits are greater than external limits. The competition with one's own self, accepting the level of performance as a departing point in the sport evolution, diminishing internal limitations, and the belief in one's own abilities to succeed, together with a good relation with one's self, giving conscious, constant attention, not only to the exterior environment but also to inner feelings, experienced emotions, and their e ffects on the body, are indicators of sport performance.

Attaining a state of flux has short term and long-term e ffects in preparing sportsmen, the optimum dosing of resources allowing openness towards new possibilities. Our results are consistent with some studies [1,57–59], even if the studies did not have handball players as respondents. One of the possible practical applications of this research would be to improve the training programme by introducing components of mindfulness and self-regulation strategies. We also recommend that, at the end of each training session, the coach use ways to facilitate the development of these two essential components in obtaining sports performance.

Future researches could focus on longitudinal studies that investigate the influence of self-regulation and practising mindfulness on sport performance. Another research direction could be exploring the methods of formation, by teaching these important competencies in fostering performance.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization: D.P. and L.-G.T.; Formal analysis: V.M., T.-M.I. and L.-G.T.; Investigation: V.M.; Methodology: V.M. and T.-M.I.; Resources: D.P., T.-M.I. and L.-G.T.; Software: D.P.; Supervision: T.-M.I.; Validation: L.-G.T.; Writing – original draft: D.P. and V.M.; Writing – review & editing: D.P., T.-M.I. and L.-G.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** Acknowledgements to NGO Handbal Veraflor managemen<sup>t</sup> board and Irimia Marin Viorel, president of NGO Sporting Ghimbav.

**Conflicts of Interest:** No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
