Mental health in ultra-endurance runners : a systematic review
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Date
Authors
Thuany, Mabliny
Viljoen, Carel Thomas
Gomes, Thayse Natacha
Knechtle, Beat
Scheer, Volker
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
BACKGROUND :
Among ultra-endurance runners (UER), the mental, behavioral, and physical demands of training/competition can result in maladaptive outcomes. Mental health issues are common in athletes and can impact psychology, physical health, and performance.
OBJECTIVE :
To synthesize information regarding the incidence/prevalence and factors associated with mental health issues among UER.
METHODS :
Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Cochrane databases, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Medline Ovid using key terms related to UER (e.g., trail running, road running) and psychological issues (e.g., exercise addiction, depression). Inclusion criteria included original articles published in peer-reviewed journals in English, using qualitative or quantitative approaches. We considered papers reporting incidence/prevalence and associated factors with mental health outcomes in UER of both sexes, all ages, and levels of competition (e.g., elite, nonprofessional runners). The Joanna Briggs Institute Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies critical appraisal tool was used for quality assessment.
RESULTS :
A total of 282 studies were identified, and 11 studies were included in the final selection. A total of 3670 UER were included in the studies. The prevalence of mental health issues among UER ranged between 32.0% and 62.5% for eating disorders, from 11.5% to 18.2% for exercise addiction, 18.6% for depressive symptoms, and 24.5% for sleep disturbance. Exercise addiction was not related to weekly volume, but a strong relationship with exercise in an unstructured space, age, and body mass index was shown.
CONCLUSION :
Mental health issues among UER are common, especially eating disorders, exercise addiction, sleep disturbances, and depressive symptoms. Further high-quality studies are needed to examine underlying factors and find preventative strategies to protect UER.
REGISTRATION :
The protocol of this systematic review was registered at the PROSPERO—CRD42022338743.
Description
Keywords
Ultra-endurance runner (UER), Incidence, Prevalence, Mental health issues, SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
Citation
Thuany, M., Viljoen, C., Gomes, T.N. et al. Mental Health in Ultra-Endurance Runners: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine 53, 1891–1904 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01890-5.