Exploring the impact of mental health and sports training
Guest author: Brooklyn Glasgow.
In the world of sports, the focus often lies on physical skill and athletic achievements. The physical benefits of sports training are celebrated. However, the impact on mental health is sometimes overlooked or underestimated. Beyond the physical muscle gains and athletic ability, sports are a powerful tool for mental resilience, emotional well-being, and personal growth. In the moments of challenge and triumph, the sweat-soaked hours of training, and the bonds with teammates, athletes often forget that the true transformative power of sports becomes evident in their mental wellness. Whether the discipline instilled by early morning practice, the grit developed through overcoming setbacks, or the confidence cultivated by pushing past one’s limits, every aspect of sports training contributes to a holistic sense of well-being.
The mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic
The rise in mental health issues among youth has severely increased in the last few years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2019. The pandemic has greatly impacted adolescents' and young adults' mental health due to social isolation, disrupted routines, and uncertainty about the future. The lockdown and social distancing disconnected individuals from society, thus shifting to online learning, which may have increased stress and anxiety. Family stress, financial issues, and constant exposure to negative news further worsened these issues. Additionally, the lack of access to physical activity and athletics heightened levels of anxiety and depression among youth. According to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization, WHO, in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25% (World Health Organization, 2022). The main explanation for this increase is due to the stress caused by the social isolation resulting from the pandemic.
The decline in youth mental health in Toronto
The mental health of youth in Toronto has significantly declined since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, 62% of Canadian youth aged 15 to 24 reported excellent or very good mental health, but this number dropped to just over 40% by early 2020. Over half of youth aged 15 to 17 experienced worsened mental health due to social isolation, disrupted routines, and anxiety over uncertainty. Additionally, financial instability and reduced access to mental health services worsened these issues, particularly for lower-income households. A discrepancy between youth and parental perceptions of mental health suggests that many parents may not fully grasp the extent of their children's struggles. This decline highlights the importance of providing adequate mental health resources and support systems for young people.
The positive effects of youth sports on mental health
The benefits of youth sports on mental health are well-documented. Participation in sports has been shown to have significant positive impacts on mental health. Engaging in sports promotes physical fitness and develops emotional resilience, social connections, and self-confidence among young athletes. These experiences improve stress management skills and overall psychological well-being throughout their development. Thus, youth sports play a crucial role in nurturing healthy minds and shaping positive mental health outcomes in children and adolescents. According to an article by Global Sport Matters, "Youth sports programs are critical for kids' mental health," emphasizing the positive impact of physical activity on reducing stress and anxiety (Global Sport Matters). The Women's Sports Foundation highlights that sports provide a "powerful protective role" against negative mental health impacts, particularly during the pandemic. Girls who continued to participate in sports experienced improvements in physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance (Women's Sports Foundation).
“Simply expanding opportunities for youth to play sports may protect and improve mental health, but sports programs that go a step further and address mental health, either directly or indirectly, may be even more helpful to youth who are struggling”
Evidence linking physical activity to mental health
According to the Jamanetwork article, a systematic review analyzing 21 studies involving 2441 participants found that physical activity interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to control conditions. This evidence emphasizes the potential of physical activity interventions as both an alternative and supplementary method for alleviating depression in children and adolescents. These findings highlight the positive impact of physical activity on mental health, suggesting its importance in comprehensive approaches to managing depressive symptoms in young individuals (Kamody et al.).
“Sports Participation Served as a Protective Factor for Girls Against the Detrimental Impacts of the Pandemic. Girls who played sports across the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic did not experience the same widespread declines in well‑being as girls who did not play. Compared to those who did not participate, girls who played sports were more physically active (i.e., more likely to exercise vigorously and for 60 minutes daily). They were also more likely to have higher achievement outcomes (i.e., more likely to have earned an average grade of an A/A-) and had more positive self-perceptions of their academic achievement and goals, including believing they are above average in their school ability and reporting higher expectations that they will graduate from a four-year college and pursue graduate/professional school after college. ”
Initiatives promoting mental health in sports organizations
Many organizations worldwide realize mental health's impact on athletes and have taken the initiative to ensure their organizations provide this to their fellow athletes and participants. Professional sports leagues such as the NFL (National Football League) and NBA (National Basketball Association) have noticed the importance of mental health in sports, and both have seen the importance of mental health in sports and have taken action. In May 2019, a new initiative mandates teams to enlist a mental health professional within their staff. Concurrently, they established a Comprehensive Mental Health and Wellness Committee tasked with crafting educational programs on mental health and wellness tailored for players, coaches, staff, and players' family members. In addition, in 2018, the NBA introduced its new Mental Health and Wellness Program, which began when it hired a mental health and wellness director of mental health and wellness. This initiative acts as a support system for players, offering assistance with various mental health concerns they may encounter.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has cited poor mental health as one of the leading predictors of disability and economic burden. Among children and adolescents, mental health difficulties are prevalent across the world. One factor that may protect against mental health difficulties is participation in organized youth sports.”
BTS programs: building resilience and promoting mental health
The BTS wrestling, combat sports and resiliency-building programs, like Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up and You Grow Girl, aim to build resilience and promote mental health among participants through various carefully designed youth development activities and educational approaches. A key aspect involves using experiential learning activities from the BTS social-emotional learning curriculum facilitated by professional educators. These activities teach participants essential tools and strategies such as goal-setting, stress management, and decision-making. The program encourages the development of resilience and a growth mindset among participants through engaging methods like brainteasers, dynamic discussions, art therapy, and skill practice.
Research shows a link between mental health and academic achievement, with untreated mental health issues contributing to negative educational outcomes such as poor academic performance and increased dropout rates (People for Education, 2019). Programs focusing on resilience and coping skills have positively impacted students' ability to manage daily stressors (Fenwick-Smith, Dahlberg and Thompson, 2018). The resilience-building curriculum of Level Up and You Grow Girl aligns with provincial school health and physical education standards for secondary schools, drawing from established social-emotional learning frameworks and the expertise of athletes and coaches. As program leaders emphasize, fostering resilience, character strengths, and empathy equips students with the necessary resources to thrive and effectively cope with stress and adversity.
As highlighted by Public Health Ontario, effective prevention strategies emphasize resilience, protective factors, supportive environments, stigma reduction, addressing social determinants of health, social inclusion, and social-emotional learning (Murphy et al., 2014). Aligning with provincial standards for secondary schools, programs like Level Up and You Grow Girl integrate resilience-building curricula rooted in established social-emotional learning frameworks. By fostering resilience, character strengths, and empathy, these initiatives aim to equip students with essential skills to thrive and effectively cope with stress and adversity, supported by insights from athletes and coaches involved in the program.
Recognizing the holistic benefits of sports for mental health
In the sports community, the spotlight often shines on physical abilities and athletic achievements, yet the impact on mental health remains undervalued. Beyond muscle gains and athleticism, sports provide a pathway to better mental resilience, emotional well-being, and personal growth. Athletes experience transformative moments through challenges, triumphs, and camaraderie, where the true power of sports manifests in their mental wellness.
The research mentioned earlier underscores the vital role of sports in nurturing mental health and social integration, emphasizing the need to recognize sports for their holistic benefits. Initiatives like those by professional sports leagues and programs like BTS' Wrestle 4 Fun, Level Up and You Grow Girl illustrate a growing acknowledgement of the importance of mental health support in sports. The connection with research affirmed the positive impact of structured sports engagement on mental resilience and overall well-being.
Bibliography
Women's Sports Foundation. "The Healing Power of Sport." Women's Sports Foundation, 1 Feb. 2023, www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/the-healing-power-of-sport/. Accessed 19 June 2024.
Global Sport Matters. "Youth Sports Programs More Important Than Ever for Kids' Mental Health." Global Sport Matters, 12 Apr. 2023, www.globalsportmatters.com/health/2023/04/12/youth-sports-programs-more-important-than-ever-kids-mental-health/. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Lopez, Linette, et al. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Youth Mental Health: A Rapid Review." National Center for Biotechnology Information, 15 Aug. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9406432/. Accessed 23 June 2024.
World Health Organization. "COVID-19 Pandemic Triggers 25% Increase in Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression Worldwide." World Health Organization, 2 Mar. 2022, www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Fenwick-Smith A., Dahlberg EE., Thompson SC. 2018. Systematic review of resilience-enhancing, universal, primary school-based mental health promotion programs. BMC Psychol. 2018 Jul 5;6(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s40359-018-0242-3. PMID: 29976252; PMCID: PMC6034212. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034212/
Hoffman, MD., Barnes, JD., Tremblay, MS., Guerrero, MD. Associations between organized sport participation and mental health difficulties: Data from over 11,000 US children and adolescents. PLoS One. 2022 Jun 1;17(6):e0268583. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268583. PMID: 35648742; PMCID: PMC9159603. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9159603/
Murphy, J., Pavkovic, M., Sawula, E. & Vandervoort, S. 2014. Identifying areas of focus for Mental Health Promotion for children and youth. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/l/2016/ldcp-mental-health-final-report.pdf?la=en
People for Education. "Supporting Students’ Mental Health." People for Education, Nov. 2019, https://peopleforeducation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/People-for-Education-report-on-supporting-students-mental-health-2019.pdf. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Public Health Ontario. "Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental Health of Children and Youth in Ontario." Public Health Ontario, 10 Feb. 2021, www.publichealthontario.ca/en/About/News/2021/COVID-19-Mental-Health-Youth-Ontario. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Statistics Canada. "Youth Mental Health in the Spotlight Again as the Pandemic Drags On." Statistics Canada, 24 Feb. 2022, www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/907-youth-mental-health-spotlight-again-pandemic-drags. Accessed 23 June 2024.
Kamody, Rachael C., et al. "Prevalence of Mental Health Symptoms Among Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analysis." JAMA Pediatrics, 1 Jan. 2023, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2799811?widget=personalizedcontent&previousarticle=2799813. Accessed 23 June 2024.
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