Mental Health in the Youth Athlete

Progress and Prospects of Research on the Impact of Mental Health of Youth Sailors-A Bibliometric-Based Analysis

Background: The mental health of youth sailors has garnered increasing attention from both coaches and researchers, as evidenced by the growing appearance of related keywords in scientific literature. Despite this rising interest, no studies have yet specifically focused on the mental health of this population. Methods: This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 315 articles retrieved from the Web of Science database. These articles were analyzed to identify trends, influential authors, institutions, and regions in the field of youth sailor mental health. Results: The analysis yielded several key findings: (1) Depression, anxiety, and mental health disorders are the primary areas of focus in the literature on youth sailors' mental health; (2) Rosemary Purcell is identified as the most influential author in this domain; (3) the University of Melbourne, Orygen, and Deakin University are the top three contributing institutions; (4) Australia, the USA, Canada, China, and England are the five most prominent regions involved in this research. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of current research on the mental health of young sailors. By emphasising the most influential contributors and research trends, it aims to raise awareness amongst coaches and researchers, eventually supporting efforts to improve the mental health of young sailors.

Effects of mindfulness intervention on competition state anxiety in sprinters-a randomized controlled trial

Objectives

With the rapid growth of China's sprint program's international competitiveness, the psychological problems of sprinters have become a common concern in sports training theory and practice. Hence, the study examined the impact of a 7-week Mindfulness training program on competition state anxiety in Chinese sprinters.

Methods

Twenty-four sprinters (Mage = 22.46 ± 1.351) were selected in a 2 × 3 mixed design, with the group (mindfulness/control) as the between-subjects variable and test time (pre-test/mid-test/post-test) as the within-subjects variable. The dependent variables corresponded to the mindfulness score and competition state anxiety score. One 60-min session was conducted once a week for 7 weeks, and the control group did not undergo any psychological training. The mindfulness group received mindfulness training, and the control group received regular psychological guidance. The subjects filled in the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Competition State Anxiety Scale at baseline, followed by additional assessments 3 weeks and 7 weeks later.

Results

(1) In terms of competition state anxiety, there were no significant differences in the pre-test between the mindfulness group and the control group. There were significant differences in sprinters' competition state anxiety after mindfulness intervention in terms of time, group, and the interaction between time and groups (p = 0.03, 0.004, and 0.009). (2) In terms of the mindfulness level, the difference between the mindfulness group and the control group was not significant in the pre-test. The sprinters' mindfulness level was significant in the interaction between groups and that between groups and time after mindfulness intervention (p = 0.027 and 0.028).

Conclusion

Mindfulness training alleviated sprinters' competition anxiety by reducing sprinters' somatic state anxiety (SSA) and cognitive state anxiety (CSA), as well as improving state self-efficacy. The results provide guidance and references for Chinese sprinters' psychological problems.

IOC consensus statement on elite youth athletes competing at the Olympic Games: essentials to a healthy, safe and sustainable paradigm

With the pronounced ongoing growth of global youth sports, opportunities for and participation of youth athletes on the world sports stage, including the Olympic Games, are expected to escalate. Yet, adolescence is a vulnerable period of development and inherently dynamic, with non-linear and asynchronous progression of physical, physiological, psychological and social attributes. These non-concurrent changes within and between individuals are accompanied by irregular and unpredictable threats and impediments. Likewise, the evident age-based criteria and conventional path for those youth athletes deemed eligible candidates for the Olympic Games are not well or consistently defined. Furthermore, the unstructured and largely varying policies and practices across the sporting International Federations specific to youth participation underscore the need to establish a contemporary universal paradigm that would enable elite youth athletes to navigate an individualised healthy pathway to personal, athletic and sport success. First, we reviewed and summarised key challenges facing elite youth athletes and the relevant evidence fundamental to facilitating and supporting central aspects of health and well-being, while empowering safe, sustainable and positive engagement during athletic and personal advancement and competition. Second, we developed and present a modern elite youth athlete model that emphasises a child-centred, practical framework with corresponding guidelines and recommendations to protect health and well-being while safely and favourably managing international sport competition. Our proposed evidence-informed paradigm will enable and support individualised pathways for healthy, well-rounded and sustainable positive engagement while achieving sport success for youth contending or aiming to compete at world-class international sporting events.

Mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

There is increasing recognition of the prevalence and risk factors for mental health symptoms and disorders among adult elite athletes, with less research involving elite youth athletes. This scoping review aimed to characterise the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes who travel internationally and compete for their sport.

METHOD

Four databases were searched in March 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with elite youth athlete populations (mean age 12-17 years) reporting mental health and well-being outcomes. Data from included studies were charted by outcome, and risk/protective factors identified.

RESULTS

Searches retrieved 3088 records, of which 33 studies met inclusion criteria, encapsulating data from 5826 athletes (2538 males, 3288 females). The most frequently studied issue was disordered eating (k=16), followed by anxiety (k=7), depression (k=5) and mixed anxiety/depression (k=2). Caseness estimates (a symptom level where mental health treatment is typically indicated) for disordered eating were wide ranging (0%-14% for males; 11%-41% for females), whereas only two studies estimated caseness for depression (7% in a mixed-sex sample; 14% for males, 40% for females) and one for anxiety (8% for males, 28% for females). Common risk factors for mental ill-health included sex, athlete status (compared with non-athletes) and social/relationship factors (with coaches/parents/peers). Contradictory evidence was observed for elite/competition level, which was associated with higher and lower rates of disordered eating.

CONCLUSION

Further representative research into the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes is needed to enhance understanding and guide prevention and intervention measures.

Pediatric suicide: Review of a preventable tragedy

Concepts of suicide are explored in this issue with a focus on suicide in children and adolescents. The epidemiology of pediatric suicide in the United States is reviewed; also, risk and protective factors, as well as prevention strategies, are discussed. Suicide in the pediatric athlete and the potential protective effect of exercise are examined. In addition, this analysis addresses the beneficial role of psychological management as well as current research on pharmacologic treatment and brain stimulation procedures as part of comprehensive pediatric suicide prevention. Though death by suicide in pediatric persons has been and remains a tragic phenomenon, there is much that clinicians, other healthcare professionals, and society itself can accomplish in the prevention of pediatric suicide as well as the management of suicidality in our children and adolescents.

Exercise testing for young athletes

With increasing competitiveness across the sporting landscape, there is a need for more research into monitoring and managing the young athlete, as the needs of a young athlete are vastly different to those of an older athlete who is already established in their respective sport. As the age of sports specialisation seems to decrease, exercise testing in the younger cohort of athletes is crucial for safety and long-term success. This article provides a comprehensive summary of available testing and monitoring methods that can be used to assist young athletes as they mature and attempt to excel in their chosen sport.