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Matsuura Y, Ochi G. The Potential of Heart Rate Variability Monitoring for Mental Health Assessment in Top Wheel Gymnastics Athletes: A Single Case Design. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2023; 48:335-343. [PMID: 37000286 PMCID: PMC10063935 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-023-09585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) upon waking has been proposed as a method to evaluate mental health; however, owing to large individual differences among athletes, it is unclear whether HRV is adequate to predict mental health decline. In this study, we sought to establish this by evaluating HRV upon awakening in one athlete over 20 months. We assessed mental health once a month by calculating the depression index. In addition, self-reported training load and psychological fatigue index were assessed as psychological indices for athletes. Heart rate and HRV were each measured three days per week in both resting (supine) and standing (upright) positions. The results showed that orthostatic HRV upon waking had moderate linear relationships with the scores on the depression index and psychological fatigue index. By contrast, self-reported training load, a measure of physical stressor, was not associated with HRV. The findings suggest that the repeated assessment of HRV upon waking and mental health indicators may be useful in preventing mental health decline in athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Matsuura
- Faculty of Education, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, 321-8505, Japan
| | - Genta Ochi
- Department of Health and Sports, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan.
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, Niigata, 950-3198, Japan.
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Common Issues and Differences in Motivational Support and the Effects of Rugby for the U-15 and U-16 National Teams. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14084535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study determines the differences in opinion of U-15 (20 boys) and U-16 (29 boys) rugby players from Romanian national teams, regarding motivational support (MS) and the effects/benefits (EB) of the sport. The evaluation questionnaire (based on 21 items with closed answers and 7 items with free answers) was applied between 29 November 2019 and 13 December 2019. The statistical calculation indicates the absence of significant differences between the groups for most items, with the exception of financial motivation (where the U-16 group has a higher score, p < 0.05) and the usefulness of rugby for the population as a variant of active leisure (where the U-15 group has a higher score). However, U-15 athletes are more motivated by the examples of elite players, have increased involvement in terms of passion in training and competitions, and assign high scores to their relationships with the coach and teammates, while U-16 players are more optimistic about self-perceived skills as the basis of success in rugby. The U-15 team is more confident regarding most of the benefits of a rugby game, and those in the U-16 team have superior values in the context of favorable effects on attitude, as well as a better ability to concentrate at the levels of academics and sports. Masculine characteristics, the uniqueness, and physical contact are the main factors of attraction for rugby. Over 56% of the players practiced or practice other sports and sports games, with contact sports being at the top. A total of 96% of players suffered injuries, with the legs and arms being the most affected, but 25% of the U-15 group also suffered injuries to the head, with the main causes being physical contact with opponents and the superficiality of the warm-up. Workouts associated with physical training are the most difficult to bear, and the U-15 group is more bored with routine and monotony. A higher level of physical training/self-perceived fitness is the main strength of players, followed by technical and tactical knowledge.
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Ojio Y, Matsunaga A, Kawamura S, Horiguchi M, Yoshitani G, Hatakeyama K, Amemiya R, Kanie A, Fujii C. Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in the New Life With COVID-19: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Japan Rugby Top League Players. Int J Public Health 2022; 66:1604380. [PMID: 35115903 PMCID: PMC8803632 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2021.1604380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The primary objective is to compare the prevalence of mental health problems, including psychological distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms in Japan Rugby Top League players in the new life with COVID-19 with those evaluated before COVID-19. Methods: An observational comparative web-based cross-sectional study was employed for Japan Rugby Top League players. We compared the data from 220 Japanese and 7 foreign players during the new life with COVID-19 with the data from before COVID-19, which was obtained from 233 Japanese and 18 foreign players. We measured anxiety and depression symptoms with the validated Kessler-6, which has been widely used in clinical and research settings among different populations. To investigate the distribution of K6 score and whether there are discrete clusters or not, we conducted the two-step cluster analysis. Results: In the new life with COVID-19, 15.0% of players reported mild symptoms, which was significantly lower than the 32.3% of players before COVID-19. The prevalence of moderate and severe symptoms was 6.7 and 3.5%, respectively, in the group during the new life with the COVID-19, and 4.8 and 5.2% in the pre-COVID-19 group, with no significant difference. A two-step cluster analysis supported the existence of these two qualitatively different clusters in both groups. Conclusions: With the spread of new lifestyles related to COVID-19, some rugby players may have improved mental health status due to changes in their daily living environment. Such environmental adjustments alone may not have been sufficient to change the mental health status of others. Rugby players or their teams may require mental health professionals and systems that ensure rest, adjust the environment, and sustainably provide more professional care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Ojio
- Department of Community Mental Health and Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yasutaka Ojio,
| | - Asami Matsunaga
- Department of Community Mental Health and Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | - Rei Amemiya
- Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ayako Kanie
- National Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiyo Fujii
- Department of Community Mental Health and Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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A Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Mental Health Symptoms and Disorders in Rugby Players. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SPORT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1123/jcsp.2021-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the prevalence of mental health symptoms and disorders in rugby players. Six electronic databases were searched in December 2020. Studies were included if they provided quantitative data on mental health symptoms and disorders and consisted of adult rugby players. Eight studies were included, covering symptoms of anxiety, depression, alcohol use/misuse, distress, sleeping/sleep disturbance, and eating disorders/adverse nutrition behaviors. Prevalence of mental health symptoms ranged from 6% (depression) to 68.8% (alcohol use/misuse). Most rates were similar to the general population, while symptoms of sleeping/sleep disturbance were lower, and symptoms of eating disorders/adverse nutrition behaviors and alcohol use/misuse were higher than the general population. One study included female rugby players. Epidemiological evidence comprising of rigorous diagnostic data and inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and other protected characteristics is needed to inform future mental health support in this population.
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Ojio Y, Matsunaga A, Yamaguchi S, Hatakeyama K, Kawamura S, Yoshitani G, Horiguchi M, Nakajima S, Kanie A, Horikoshi M, Fujii C. Association of mental health help-seeking with mental health-related knowledge and stigma in Japan Rugby Top League players. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256125. [PMID: 34432823 PMCID: PMC8386880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally increasing clinical and research interests are driving a movement to promote understanding and practice of mental health in elite athletes. However, few studies have yet addressed this issue. This study aims to describe the association of the intention to seek help with mental health knowledge and stigma and the severity of depressive symptoms in Japan Rugby Top League players. Methods As a target population, we studied 233 Japan Rugby Top League male players (25–29 years = 123 [52.8%]), who were born in Japan, using a cross-sectional design. Surveys were conducted using anonymous, web-based self-administered questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was performed to evaluate the hypothesis of an interrelationship between mental health knowledge, stigma, and severity of depressive symptoms as factors influencing the intention to seek help. Results Players with more severe depressive symptoms were more reluctant to seek help from others (β = - 0.20, p = 0.03). Players with greater knowledge about mental health tended to have less stigma toward others with mental health problems (β = 0.13, p = 0.049), but tended not to seek help with their own mental health problems. Conclusions Rugby players in need of mental health support, even with greater knowledge, tend not to seek help from others, while having less stigma toward people with mental health problems. Rugby players might require approaches other than a knowledge-based educational approach to encourage them to seek help.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Ojio
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Asami Matsunaga
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Sosei Yamaguchi
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | - Shun Nakajima
- National Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Kanie
- National Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Horikoshi
- National Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiyo Fujii
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
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Ojio Y, Matsunaga A, Hatakeyama K, Kawamura S, Horiguchi M, Yoshitani G, Kanie A, Horikoshi M, Fujii C. Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Japan Rugby Top League Players. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1205. [PMID: 33572911 PMCID: PMC7908153 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Clinical and research interest is growing in mental health support for elite athletes, based on findings from epidemiological surveys conducted in Australia, the United States, and European countries. However, little is known about the mental health status of elite athletes in Asia, including Japan. In the current study, we examine the prevalence of mental health problems and suicidal ideation and its risk factors in Japan Rugby Top League players. We analyze anonymous web-based self-reported data from 251 currently competing Japan Rugby Top League male players. During the off-season from December 2019 to January 2020, data on anxiety and depression symptoms were collected using the Japanese version of the 6-item Kessler-6. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes. Among the players, 81 players (32.3%) had experienced symptoms of mild anxiety and depression during the previous 30 days, while 12 (4.8%) and 13 (5.2%) had suffered from moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. Nineteen athletes (7.6%) reported that they had experienced suicidal ideation during the previous 2 weeks. Players with mental health problems experienced more events in competitions and daily life, including reduced subjective performance, missing opportunities to play during the last season, changes in health condition, and thinking about a career after retirement, compared with players without such problems. Mental health issues in Japan Rugby Top League players, as elite athletes, may be common, and research and practice development is expected in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Ojio
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan; (A.M.); (C.F.)
| | - Asami Matsunaga
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan; (A.M.); (C.F.)
| | - Kensuke Hatakeyama
- Japan Rugby Players’ Association, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan; (K.H.); (S.K.); (M.H.); (G.Y.)
| | - Shin Kawamura
- Japan Rugby Players’ Association, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan; (K.H.); (S.K.); (M.H.); (G.Y.)
| | - Masanori Horiguchi
- Japan Rugby Players’ Association, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan; (K.H.); (S.K.); (M.H.); (G.Y.)
| | - Goro Yoshitani
- Japan Rugby Players’ Association, Tokyo 108-0074, Japan; (K.H.); (S.K.); (M.H.); (G.Y.)
| | - Ayako Kanie
- National Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; (A.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Masaru Horikoshi
- National Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Research, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan; (A.K.); (M.H.)
| | - Chiyo Fujii
- Department of Community Mental Health & Law, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan; (A.M.); (C.F.)
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Costanza A, Radomska M, Zenga F, Amerio A, Aguglia A, Serafini G, Amore M, Berardelli I, Ojio Y, Nguyen KD. Severe Suicidality in Athletes with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A Case Series and Overview on Putative Ethiopathogenetic Mechanisms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18030876. [PMID: 33498520 PMCID: PMC7908343 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18030876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) results from repetitive brain injuries and is a common neurotraumatic sequela in contact sports. CTE is often accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms, which could escalate to suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behaviour (SB). Nevertheless, fairly limited emphasis about the association between suicidality and CTE exists in medical literature. Here, we report two cases of retired professional athletes in high contact sports (boxing and ice hockey) who have developed similar clinical trajectories characterized by progressive neuropsychiatric symptoms compatible with a CTE diagnosis and subsequent SB in its severe forms (medical serious suicide attempt (SA) and completed suicide). In addition to the description of outlining clinical, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and differential diagnosis elements related to these cases, we also hypothesized some mechanisms that might augment the suicide risk in CTE. They include those related to neurobiological (neuroanatomic/neuroinflammatory) dysfunctions as well as those pertaining to psychiatry and psychosocial maladaptation to neurotraumas and retirement from professional competitive activity. Findings described here can provide clinical pictures to improve the identification of patients with CTE and also potential mechanistic insights to refine the knowledge of eventual severe SB development, which might enable its earlier prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Costanza
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva (UNIGE), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, ASO Santi Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo Hospital, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Michalina Radomska
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Geneva (UNIGE), 1206 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Francesco Zenga
- Department of Neurosurgery, City of Health and Science Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Andrea Amerio
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.A.); (A.A.); (G.S.); (M.A.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Andrea Aguglia
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.A.); (A.A.); (G.S.); (M.A.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.A.); (A.A.); (G.S.); (M.A.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Mario Amore
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (A.A.); (A.A.); (G.S.); (M.A.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Isabella Berardelli
- Suicide Prevention Center, Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy;
| | - Yasutaka Ojio
- National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Community Mental Health Law, National Institute of Mental Health, Tokyo 187-8553, Japan;
| | - Khoa D. Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA;
- Tranquis Therapeutics, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
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