Sleep and Mental Health Issues in Current and Former Athletes: A Mini Review

Abstract

Sleep and mental health are important aspects of human health that work concurrently. However, sleep and mental health disorders are often overlooked and undiagnosed in sport due to the negative stigma associated with them. Evidence suggests that athletes are disproportionately affected by mental health issues and sleep problems. Internal and external pressures contribute to psychological distress. Variable competition times, travel and stress are detrimental to sleep quality. Retirement from sport can deteriorate sleep and psychological wellbeing, particularly for those who retired involuntarily and identify strongly with their athletic role. When untreated, these issues can manifest into a range of clinical disorders. This is concerning, not only for compromised athletic performance, but for general health and wellbeing beyond sport. Previous research has focussed on sleep and health independently among currently competing, or former, athletes. To date, no research has comprehensively assessed and compared sleep complaints and mental health issues between these two cohorts. Moreover, research has failed to obtain data across a variety of different competition levels, sports, and genders, leaving the current scope of the literature narrow. Comorbid conditions (e.g., concussion history, obesity), ex-college athletes, and mental health has been the focus of existing literature post-retirement. Future research would benefit from employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to comprehensively assess the prevalence and severity of sleep and mental health disorders across current and retired athletes. Research outcomes would inform education strategies, safeguarding athletes from these issues by reducing negative stigmas associated with help-seeking in sport and ultimately increase self-guided treatment.

Associations of Training and Academic Stress with Sleep in Dual-Career Collegiate Badminton Athletes: A Preliminary Study

“…Dual-career athletes are likely to face more serious mental health problems. 59 , 60 It has been observed to have a bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health: insufficient sleep duration, decreased sleep quality, insomnia, fatigue, and symptoms of sleep apnea are associated with increased stress, depression, and anxiety, whereas poor mood, increased anxiety levels can also lead to severe sleep dysfunction. 17 , 60 In summary, dual-career student-athletes appear at significant risk for poor sleep quality when training and academic stress increase.…”

Sleep and its importance in sport: a concise systematic review

“…The first type is the beginning of sleep, where there are no dreams, while the second type is named after the movement performed by our eyes, known as the period when dreams occur. It is noteworthy that the interruption of these cycles is an unhealthy but very common practice, such as when the alarm clock rings [15].…”

Athletes' Health and Well-Being: A Review of Psychology's State of Mind

“…If not adequately addressed, all of these diverse stressors can have an impact on sports performance, as well as training, career transitions, interpersonal relationships, and physical rehabilitation. In addition, Montero et al, (2022), stated that athletes are scrutinized by the media, coaches, and themselves, which can have a negative impact on their mental health. Excessive coach criticism has also been found as a significant barrier to athletic development.…”

“…Internal demands that athletes apply to themselves, as well as external criticism, can be mentally devastating and longlasting. As a result of these high psychological demands, a mental health issue may develop and athletes may be more vulnerable to mental illnesses than the general populace (Foskett and Longstaff, 2018;Montero et al, 2022). Moreover, according to Rice, et al, (2016), in addition to physical and competition stress, elite athletes face a unique set of 'competition' stressors, such as increased public scrutiny via mainstream and social media, limited support networks due to relocation, group dynamics in team sports, and the possibility of injuries ending careers prematurely.…”

“…These are also strongly associated with affective disorders, such as major depressive illness. Sports retirement can have a negative impact on sleep and psychological well-being and, if left untreated, can lead to a variety of psychiatric illnesses (Montero et. al, 2022).…”