Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry
Introduction: Although research suggests that exercise benefits mental health, psychiatric disorders have been acknowledged in the ultra-endurance-athlete population. At present, the mental-health consequences of high-volume training associated with ultra-endurance sports are not well understood. Me...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Sports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/11/3/52 |
| _version_ | 1797608953690980352 |
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| author | Jill Colangelo Alexander Smith Ana Buadze Nicola Keay Michael Liebrenz |
| author_facet | Jill Colangelo Alexander Smith Ana Buadze Nicola Keay Michael Liebrenz |
| author_sort | Jill Colangelo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Although research suggests that exercise benefits mental health, psychiatric disorders have been acknowledged in the ultra-endurance-athlete population. At present, the mental-health consequences of high-volume training associated with ultra-endurance sports are not well understood. Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing primary observations about mental disorders per ICD-11 criteria in ultra-endurance athletes using a keyword search in Scopus and PubMed. Results: We identified 25 papers discussing ICD-11-classified psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia in ultra-endurance athletes. Discussion: Although evidence is limited, available papers indicate that there is a sizable incidence of mental-health issues and composite psychopathological vulnerabilities in this community. We contend that ultra-endurance athletes may represent a different, though similar, demographic than elite and/or professional athletes, as they often engage in high-volume training with similarly high motivation. This can have regulatory implications, which we also highlight. Conclusion: Mental illness in ultra-endurance athletes is an underrepresented topic in sports medicine, though psychiatric disorders may be especially prevalent in this population. Further inquiry is necessary to inform athletes and healthcare practitioners about the possible mental-health implications associated with participation in ultra-endurance sports. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:54:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f565dcdae23f4471937c75bd65a00633 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4663 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:54:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sports |
| spelling | doaj.art-f565dcdae23f4471937c75bd65a006332023-11-17T13:53:22ZengMDPI AGSports2075-46632023-02-011135210.3390/sports11030052Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports PsychiatryJill Colangelo0Alexander Smith1Ana Buadze2Nicola Keay3Michael Liebrenz4Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandDivision of Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6DE, UKDepartment of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandIntroduction: Although research suggests that exercise benefits mental health, psychiatric disorders have been acknowledged in the ultra-endurance-athlete population. At present, the mental-health consequences of high-volume training associated with ultra-endurance sports are not well understood. Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing primary observations about mental disorders per ICD-11 criteria in ultra-endurance athletes using a keyword search in Scopus and PubMed. Results: We identified 25 papers discussing ICD-11-classified psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia in ultra-endurance athletes. Discussion: Although evidence is limited, available papers indicate that there is a sizable incidence of mental-health issues and composite psychopathological vulnerabilities in this community. We contend that ultra-endurance athletes may represent a different, though similar, demographic than elite and/or professional athletes, as they often engage in high-volume training with similarly high motivation. This can have regulatory implications, which we also highlight. Conclusion: Mental illness in ultra-endurance athletes is an underrepresented topic in sports medicine, though psychiatric disorders may be especially prevalent in this population. Further inquiry is necessary to inform athletes and healthcare practitioners about the possible mental-health implications associated with participation in ultra-endurance sports.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/11/3/52ultra-endurance athletessports psychiatrymental disorderstraining volumeICD-11endocrine dysfunction |
| spellingShingle | Jill Colangelo Alexander Smith Ana Buadze Nicola Keay Michael Liebrenz Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry Sports ultra-endurance athletes sports psychiatry mental disorders training volume ICD-11 endocrine dysfunction |
| title | Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry |
| title_full | Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry |
| title_fullStr | Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry |
| title_short | Mental Health Disorders in Ultra Endurance Athletes per ICD-11 Classifications: A Review of an Overlooked Community in Sports Psychiatry |
| title_sort | mental health disorders in ultra endurance athletes per icd 11 classifications a review of an overlooked community in sports psychiatry |
| topic | ultra-endurance athletes sports psychiatry mental disorders training volume ICD-11 endocrine dysfunction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/11/3/52 |
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