Mental Health in Sport and Exercise Flashcards
Huppert., (2009)
What is the mental health spectrum?
- High well-being + Low ill-being: Flourishing and resilient.
- Low well-beng + High ill-being: Languishing and vulnerable.
- Mental health is assumed to be normally distributed.
- Population-level interventions can improve well-being.
Why does mental health matter?
- Depression affects 5% of adults globally.
- 25% will expereince poor mental health in their lifetime.
- Depression is the 3rd leading cause of disability worldwide.
- Poor mental health costs the UK economy £25 billion annually.
What are the gender differences in depression?
- Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
- Women ruminate more than men, especially during premenstrual, postpartum, and menopausal transitions.
- Men are x4 more likely to commit suicide.
What are the 3 severity levels of depression?
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
(5)
What are the physical symptoms of depression?
- Feeling tired all the time
- Poor sleep
- Losing sex drive
- Losing appetite
- Feeling aches and pains.
(5)
What are the psychological symptoms of depression?
- Feeling hopeless, helpless, or guilt-ridden
- Low self-esteem, tearfulness, and irritability
- Lack of motivation or interest in activites
- Difficulty making decisions
What are the social/psychological causes of depression?
- Traumatic events
- Grief
- Lifestyle factors
What are the biological causes of depression?
- Genetics (30%-40% heritability)
- Hormonal factors (Cortisol, Serotonin, Dopamine, NE)
- Thyroid dysfunction (affects up to 40% of depression patients)
- Gender-related hormones (Testosterone, Estrogen)
What are dysfunctional thoughts and emotional responses as psychological risks for depression?
Negative patterns of thinking/feeling that interfere with coping, such as:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Excessive worry
- Irrational fears
What are “thinking traps” as psychological risks for depression?
Systematic patterns of distroted thinking, including:
- Overgeneralisation
- Catastrophising
- Black-and-white thinking
What is HPA axis dysfunction and how does it relate to depression?
Chronic stress distrupts the HPA axis, the body’s central stress response system, leading to:
- Imbalanced cortisol production.
- Fatigue, mood swings, and weakened immunity.
How does hypothyrodism act as a biological risk factor for depression?
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficent hormones, causing:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Depression
How does Cushing’s syndrome act as a biological risk factor for depression?
Cushing syndrome involves high cortisol levels, leading to:
- Weight gain
- High blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
What are the neurochemical mechanisms by which exercise treats depression?
- Increases serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (NE)
- Promotes hippocampal neurogenesis via BDNF
How does exercise regulate the HPA axis to treat depression?
- Exercise reduces stress by balancing HPA axis activity, lowering cortisol levels
What evidence supports exercise as treatment for depression?
- Rebar et al., (2015): Exercise is comparable to traditional therapies for reducing depressive symptoms.
- Pearce et al., (2022): Moderate physical activity significantly lowers depression risk.
How does general participation in sport affect mental health?
- Reduces depression and anxiety in youth
- Benefits stem from physical activity and social interaction
How does mental health in elite sports compare to the general population?
- Prevalence of mental health issues is similar.
- Certain groups within elite sports may face heightended risks.
