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A new academic volume is shining light on the unique mental health challenges faced by high-performance athletes, despite the well-known benefits of physical activity in preventing and treating depression.
The book, Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and Depression, edited by researchers Adilson Marques and Élvio Rúbio Gouveia, compiles insights from more than two dozen experts.
While moderate exercise is consistently linked with reduced depressive symptoms, elite athletes face pressures that may offset these benefits.
In a chapter authored by Hugo Sarmento, Diogo Martinho and Pedro Teques, the researchers explain:
“Depression in high-performance sports is a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors.”
They emphasize that “young athletes and high-performance athletes can be vulnerable to depression” and caution that standard self-reporting tools used for the general population may not be adequate for identifying depressive symptoms in this group.
The scholars identify performance pressure, injury concerns, identity crises, and career transitions as key risk factors. Retirement, in particular, is described as a vulnerable period requiring targeted support.
“The high prevalence of depression indicates that it constitutes a public health problem with potentially severe consequences.”
The authors urge sports organizations, coaches, and health professionals to integrate comprehensive mental health programs into training environments.
For the general public, the book reinforces the protective role of physical activity. Evidence suggests individuals engaging in higher levels of exercise have a 17% lower risk of developing depression.
“Regular physical activity is associated with lower depressive symptoms and risk of depression in adults and older adults,” the authors note.
Still, researchers stress that more work is needed to translate evidence into clinical guidelines. They conclude:
“Given its numerous benefits, physical activity should be integrated into clinical settings as a standard component of depression treatment.”
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