Citation

Junge A, Feddermann-Demont N. BMJ Open Sport Exerc. Med. 2016; 2(1): e000087.

Affiliation

FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC), Zürich, Switzerland; Swiss Concussion Centre (SCC) Schulthess Klinik, Zürich, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Center for Vertigo and Neurological Visual Disorders, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Publisher BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000087

PMID

27900164

PMCID

PMC5117057

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Scientific studies on the prevalence of mental health problems in elite athletes are rare, and most have had considerable methodological limitations, such as low response rate and heterogeneous samples. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in top-level football (soccer) players in comparison to the general population, and to analyse potential risk factors.

METHODS: Players of all first league (FL) and of four U-21 football teams in Switzerland were asked to answer a questionnaire on player's characteristics, the Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale.

RESULTS: All 10 women's FL teams, 9 of 10 men's FL teams and 4 male U-21 teams (n=471 football players) took part in the study. The CES-D score indicated a mild to moderate depression in 33 (7.6%) players and a major depression in 13 (3.0%) players. The GAD-7 score indicated an at least moderate anxiety disorder in 6 (1.4%) players. Compared to the general population, the prevalence of depression was similar and the prevalence of anxiety disorders was significantly (χ(2)=16.7; p<0.001) lower in football players. Significant differences were observed with regard to player characteristics, such as age, gender, player position, level of play and current injury.

CONCLUSIONS: Swiss FL football players had the same prevalence of depression as the general population, while male U-21 players had a higher prevalence of depression. It is important to raise awareness and knowledge of athletes' mental health problems in coaches and team physicians, and to provide adequate treatment to athletes.

Language: en