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Lima Y, Deniz Öz N, Devran S, Rice S, Bayraktar B. The team behind the team: prevalence and correlates of mental health problems among professional football team medical and allied staff? Res Sports Med 2024; 32:667-678. [PMID: 37243617 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2023.2216827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate depression, anxiety, and stress prevalence and correlates among professional football team medical and allied health staff (MAHS) in Turkey. An online survey was sent to all MAHS (n = 865) attending the professional development accreditation course organized at the end of the 2021-2022 football season in Turkey. Three standardized scales assessed depression, anxiety, and stress. A total of 573 staff participated (response rate = 66.2%). 36.7% of MAHS reported at least moderate severity depression, 25% anxiety, and 80.5% stress. Younger (26-33 years) and less experienced (6-10 years) MAHS reported higher stress scores than their older (50-57 years) and more experienced (>15 years) counterparts (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Masseurs (compared to team doctors) and staff without a second job (compared to those with a second job) reported higher depression and anxiety scores (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, p = 0.03, p = 0.02, respectively). Depression, anxiety, and stress scores of MAHS whose monthly income was less than $519 were higher than those whose income was more than $1036 (all p < 0.01). Findings demonstrated that professional football team MAHS suffer from symptoms of mental-ill-health at substantial rates. In light of these results, organizational policies should be implemented to proactively support the mental health of MAHS working in professional football.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavuz Lima
- Balıkesir Atatürk City Hospital, Sports Medicine Department, Balıkesir, Turkey
| | - Nazlı Deniz Öz
- Recreation Department, Selcuk University Faculty of Sports Science, Konya, Turkey
| | - Sergen Devran
- Sports Medicine Department, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Simon Rice
- The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bülent Bayraktar
- Sports Medicine Department, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- Turkish Football Federation, Medical Board, Istanbul, Turkey
- Acıbadem Sports/FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence Consultant, Istanbul, Turkey
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2
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Leprince C, Maurin M, Carling C. Consideration of Mental Health and Well-Being in High-Level Sport: When Will a Coach-Centred Approach Be Introduced? Sports Med 2024:10.1007/s40279-024-02044-x. [PMID: 38811435 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02044-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Coverage of problems relating to mental health and well-being is gaining ground in the sports sector today, both in the media and in the scientific literature. Despite exposure to numerous stressors and suffering from poor mental health, coaches have in general been largely overlooked in the scientific literature. Previous studies have mainly focused upon athlete populations. The absence of research means that there are real shortcomings in both understanding the mechanisms involved in the deterioration of coaches' mental health and well-being and in the lack of specific support systems available. This paper first describes findings from the recent, albeit quite scarce, research investigating mental health and well-being in coaches. It then proposes a number of avenues for research and support protocols, both of which are currently ongoing at the French Football Federation Research Centre. The aim is to help support these key participants in the sports sector who arguably have not been given sufficient consideration until now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Leprince
- French Football Federation Research Centre, Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France
- Sport, Expertise and Performance Laboratory (EA 7370), INSEP, Paris, France
| | - Mathéo Maurin
- French Football Federation Research Centre, Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France
- Laboratory on Vulnerabilities and Innovation in Sport (L-VIS), University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Christopher Carling
- French Football Federation Research Centre, Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines, France.
- Sport, Expertise and Performance Laboratory (EA 7370), INSEP, Paris, France.
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3
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Mitchell J, Tilbrook M, Kiropoulos L, Krug I. Australian elite sport coaches' mental health literacy of eating disorders, orthorexia, and muscle dysmorphia in athletes: A qualitative study. Body Image 2024; 48:101670. [PMID: 38150783 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.101670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Athletes have an increased risk of developing eating disorders (EDs) compared to non-athletes. Coaches are in a unique position to identify symptoms and promote timely support; however, research has not yet explored coaches' mental health literacy about DSM-5 EDs and related orthorexia and muscle dysmorphia conditions in elite athletes. Eighteen Australian elite sport coaches from aesthetic, weight-class, and endurance sports participated in individual semi-structured interviews to investigate their mental health literacy of EDs and related conditions. Four themes emerged from the data. Theme 1 (knowledge of EDs and related conditions) highlighted coaches' awareness of maladaptive perfectionism as a key risk factor, limited awareness of EDs without observable weight loss, and conceptualisation of EDs as a nutritional issue. Theme 2 (facilitators to managing EDs) highlighted the helpfulness of building trust with athletes, accessing support staff, emphasising body functionality, and lived experience. Theme 3 (barriers to managing EDs) highlighted coaches' challenges with communicating about body image, responding to denial, and funding constraints. Theme 4 (future ED education and training) highlighted coaches' desire for in-person, interactive training and to support junior-level coaches. These findings may assist in developing tailored educational resources to improve coaches' ability to identify and manage eating-related concerns in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jardine Mitchell
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Australia
| | - Molly Tilbrook
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Australia
| | - Litza Kiropoulos
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Australia
| | - Isabel Krug
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Australia.
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Walton CC, Purcell R, Pilkington V, Hall K, Kenttä G, Vella S, Rice SM. Psychological Safety for Mental Health in Elite Sport: A Theoretically Informed Model. Sports Med 2024; 54:557-564. [PMID: 37737542 PMCID: PMC10978613 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01912-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Elite sports contexts are highly pressurised and frequently enforce a win-at-all-costs approach. This narrow focus on performance outcomes can potentially contribute in negative ways to the mental health of those within these environments. In this Current Opinion paper, we propose a model that outlines how key elements contributing to psychologically safe or unsafe environments may contribute to better or worse mental health outcomes, respectively. In an environment in which individuals feel safe to show their authentic selves rather than 'wear a mask', different experiences of mental health are likely to be normalised, help-seeking behaviour increased, and thus, mental health outcomes enhanced. We outline how sports teams and organisations can contribute to this through the creation of appropriate policies and procedures, in addition to leaders modelling and reinforcing positive cultural norms. It is intended that the theoretical model can inform stakeholders in elite sport as well as future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney C Walton
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Rosemary Purcell
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Vita Pilkington
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Hall
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Göran Kenttä
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Stewart Vella
- Global Alliance for Mental Health and Sport, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Simon M Rice
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Frost J, Walton CC, Purcell R, Fisher K, Gwyther K, Kocherginsky M, Rice SM. The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38341831 PMCID: PMC10859359 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-023-00655-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elite-level coaches are exposed to multiple performance, organisational and personal stressors which may contribute to reduced mental health and wellbeing. This systematic scoping review examined the current body of evidence to explore what is known about the mental health of elite-level coaches (i.e. wellbeing and mental ill-health), the risk and protective factors that influence coach mental health, and the relationship between mental health and coaching effectiveness. METHODS The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A systematic search was undertaken and updated in September 2022 using six electronic databases. RESULTS 12,376 studies were identified and screened, with 42 studies satisfying the inclusion criteria. Despite the paucity of high-quality research, findings indicated that 40% of the included studies examined themes connected to wellbeing, with 76% assessing the nature or prevalence of mental ill-health in elite-level coaches. Among studies exploring mental ill-health, coach burnout was the primary focus, while scant research examined symptoms associated with clinical disorders (e.g. anxiety and depression). Overall, psychological outcomes for elite-level coaches were shaped by risk and protective factors operating at the individual, interpersonal, organisational and societal level. Preliminary evidence was also found to suggest that poor mental health may contribute to reduced coaching effectiveness. It is proposed that coaching effectiveness could therefore be employed as a 'hook' to engage elite-level coaches in greater consideration of their mental health needs. CONCLUSION Alongside the development of methodologically robust research, there is a need to examine dynamic individual (e.g. psychological skills), interpersonal (e.g. strong social supports) and organisational (e.g. workload) factors that aim to preserve the mental health and optimise the efficacy of elite-level coaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Frost
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Courtney C Walton
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rosemary Purcell
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Krista Fisher
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Gwyther
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Kocherginsky
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simon M Rice
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
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Abstract
There is growing understanding of the extent of mental health problems, and related mental health needs, among elite athletes. However, far less attention has been paid to mental health among elite coaches and high-performance support staff, the latter including strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists, sport psychologists, and other allied health workers in the daily training environment (high-performance support staff are referred to collectively as "entourage" throughout this article). The scarcity of research examining mental health among elite coaches and entourage warrants urgent attention, particularly given these individuals share similar performance demands and role-related stressors as elite athletes. This article reviews the available literature on this topic, including (1) an empirical study conducted by the authors with a sample of coaches and entourage from Australia's national high-performance sport system and (2) a case example to illustrate sport-specific and general risk factors that are likely to impact mental health in elite sporting environments. Avenues for supporting mental health among coaches and entourage are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Purcell
- The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Joshua Frost
- The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Vita Pilkington
- The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Frost J, Walton CC, Purcell R, Rice SM. Supporting The Mental Health Of Elite-Level Coaches Through Early Intervention. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil 2023; 5:100734. [PMID: 37645386 PMCID: PMC10461153 DOI: 10.1016/j.asmr.2023.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Current evidence indicates that elite-level coaches encounter a range of performance, organizational, and personal stressors that may influence or compromise mental health. With exposure to these stressors, supports need to be established to protect and preserve the mental health of elite-level coaches. Given the paucity of evidence available, this article proposes a number of considerations that should be taken into account when developing a mental health and rehabilitation framework for high-performance coaches. We argue that early intervention should be positioned at the core of this framework, to address the onset of symptoms prior to the emergence of a mental disorder or mental health crisis. Mental health screening and monitoring of coaches, the psychological safety of high-performance environments, the mental health literacy of coaches, and the tailored pathways to support are discussed. Beyond these strategies, it is proposed that rehabilitation and reintegration should be addressed to assist coaches who are currently experiencing mental ill health or have left their role due to mental health reasons. Although further research is needed to implement evidence-based strategies, it is recommended that a future mental health framework should incorporate the perspectives of coaches to ensure it is consistent with their needs and experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Frost
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Courtney C. Walton
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rosemary Purcell
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simon M. Rice
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Australia
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Sandbakk Ø, Pyne DB, McGawley K, Foster C, Talsnes RK, Solli GS, Millet GP, Seiler S, Laursen PB, Haugen T, Tønnessen E, Wilber R, van Erp T, Stellingwerff T, Holmberg HC, Bucher Sandbakk S. The Evolution of World-Class Endurance Training: The Scientist's View on Current and Future Trends. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2023:1-5. [PMID: 37369366 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elite sport is continuously evolving. World records keep falling and athletes from a longer list of countries are involved. PURPOSE This commentary was designed to provide insights into present and future trends associated with world-class endurance training based on the perspectives, experience, and knowledge of an expert panel of 25 applied sport scientists. RESULTS The key drivers of development observed in the past 10-15 years were related to (1) more accessible scientific knowledge for coaches and athletes combined with (2) better integration of practical and scientific exchange across multidisciplinary perspectives within professionalized elite athlete support structures, as well as (3) utilization of new technological advances. Based on these perspectives, we discerned and exemplified the main trends in the practice of endurance sports into the following categories: better understanding of sport-specific demands; improved competition execution; larger, more specific, and more precise training loads; improved training quality; and a more professional and healthier lifestyle. The main areas expected to drive future improvements were associated with more extensive use of advanced technology for monitoring and prescribing training and recovery, more precise use of environmental and nutritional interventions, better understanding of athlete-equipment interactions, and greater emphasis on preventing injuries and illnesses. CONCLUSIONS These expert insights can serve as a platform and inspiration to develop new hypotheses and ideas, encourage future collaboration between researchers and sport practitioners, and, perhaps most important, stimulate curiosity and further collaborative studies about the training, physiology, and performance of endurance athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øyvind Sandbakk
- Center for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim,Norway
| | - David B Pyne
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT,Australia
| | - Kerry McGawley
- Swedish Winter Sports Research Center, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund,Sweden
| | - Carl Foster
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI,USA
| | - Rune Kjøsen Talsnes
- Center for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim,Norway
| | - Guro Strøm Solli
- Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Nord University, Trondheim,Norway
| | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Bodø,Switzerland
| | - Stephen Seiler
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand,Norway
| | - Paul B Laursen
- Sports Performance and Athlete Development Environments (SPADE), University of Agder, Kristiansand,Norway
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), AUT University, Auckland,New Zealand
| | - Thomas Haugen
- School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Oslo,Norway
| | - Espen Tønnessen
- School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University College, Oslo,Norway
| | - Randy Wilber
- United States Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs, CO,USA
| | - Teun van Erp
- Division of Movement Science and Exercise Therapy (MSET), Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg,South Africa
| | | | - Hans-Christer Holmberg
- Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå,Sweden
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC,Canada
| | - Silvana Bucher Sandbakk
- Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim,Norway
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