This study investigated the effect of ultra-trail running on state mindfulness and perceived body boundaries. We hypothesized that ultra-trail running would induce an altered state of consciousness characterized by increased mindfulness and a dissolution of body boundaries. Participants were 36 ultra-trail runners who completed the State Mindfulness Scale and the Perceived Body Boundaries Scale before and after an ultra-trail race. Results showed a significant increase in mindfulness states and a decrease in perceived body boundaries from before to after the race. These results suggest that ultra-trail running promotes a mindful state and alters body perception. Furthermore, years of running experience, but not performance level or training frequency, predicted a greater increase in mindfulness allowed by the race. This study provides novel insights into the interplay between strenuous physical activity, mindfulness, and body perception, suggesting that ultra-trail running may induce an experiential state with similarities to meditative practices.
This case illustration describes the interdisciplinary treatment of an 18-year-old elite high school football punter presenting with performance anxiety. The athlete transferred to an elite boarding school to increase collegiate recruiting exposure, which coincided with heightened performance pressure, excessive worry, and difficulty regulating arousal during practices and competition. Treatment involved coordinated care between a clinical sport psychologist and a sport psychiatrist, integrating a person-centered cognitive–behavioral approach with pharmacological support targeting baseline anxiety severity. Psychological intervention emphasized therapeutic alliance, cognitive restructuring, attentional control, and arousal regulation, while psychiatric care focused on symptom stabilization and monitoring medication-related effects on performance. By the conclusion of treatment, the athlete demonstrated improved emotional regulation, reduced performance-related distress, and received collegiate offers across National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes levels. Clinical implications for integrated sport psychology and sport psychiatry practice with elite adolescent athletes are discussed.
High-performance coaches experience occupational stressors that increase vulnerability to psychological distress and may compromise career sustainability. This study examined whether self-compassion and psychological safety are associated with depression/anxiety symptoms and sustainability among 216 high-performance coaches from Swedish sport schools (22.9% female; M age = 45.1). Depression/anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, sustainability with a single-item, self-compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale, and psychological safety with the Psychological Safety Scale. Linear regression analyses indicated that self-kindness (β = −0.34) and psychological safety (β = −0.16) were significant negative predictors of depression/anxiety ( ). Psychological safety (β = 0.16) significantly predicted sustainability ( ). A significant mindfulness × psychological safety interaction (β = 0.25) suggested that mindfulness was positively related to sustainability when psychological safety was high. Findings underscore the relevance of both individual- and environmental-level targets in interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress and promoting sustainability in high-performance coaches.
The present study examined Division II team-sport athletes through a qualitative reflexive thematic analysis. Six female athletes participated in a focus group aimed at understanding their experiences with embodiment, eating and exercise behaviors, and stressors including those associated with holding a scholarship. A reflexive thematic analysis resulted in an overarching theme of "pressure to perform impacts athletes' lives," reflecting the extreme stress these athletes experience. This overarching theme expanded into three themes. "Athletes' exhaustion from pressures" reflects the fatigue from the demand to succeed. This was further explained by the subtheme "little time for self-care." "Pressure causes disruptions in embodiment" reflects athletes' relationships with their bodies. This led to the subtheme of "negative body image perceptions." "Schol-arship is an added pressure" reflects stress of holding a scholarship. This led to the subtheme of "competition for position on team." Results show the pressure to perform has many consequences. Based on these findings, suggestions for supporting and working with collegiate athletes are provided. This qualitative study serves as a springboard for future research aiming to understand the experiences of Division II collegiate athletes.
Disordered eating and eating disorders remain underdetected and undertreated in sport settings despite well-documented morbidity, mortality, and performance disruption. Early risk is frequently missed by frontline providers due to subtle presentation, normalization of maladaptive behaviors within sport culture, and limitations of existing screening tools. Current instruments are often time-intensive, diagnostically oriented, or insufficiently sensitive to early-stage or context-specific symptom patterns. This paper proposes a practical, low-burden screening framework designed for nonspecialist providers (e.g., athletic trainers, physicians, and sport psychology consultants) operating in time-constrained sport environments. Drawing from clinical experience, theoretical models, and contemporary empirical literature, we outline multidomain indicators of risk and provide sample screening prompts to facilitate early identification and referral. The approach emphasizes neutral, autonomy-supportive communication and is intended to complement, not replace, validated assessment tools. By equipping frontline professionals with accessible strategies for early detection, sport systems may shift from reactive management of advanced illness to proactive prevention and timely intervention.
Purpose development is crucial in adolescence, with higher purpose linked to better mental health outcomes. Sport is a context for youth to pursue intentional goals, and autonomy-supportive coaching may foster purpose development. This study examined how participation in multiple sports affects purpose among adolescent girls. Using data from the 2024 Women's Sports Foundation Study (N= 2,956 girls, Mage =14.47), results showed that playing more sports positively predicted higher purpose scores, even after controlling for athlete status. Autonomy-supportive coaching also predicted greater purpose. However, the benefits of multiple sport participation were strongest for girls experiencing low to moderate autonomy support in their primary sport. These findings suggest that playing multiple sports can foster adolescents' sense of purpose, particularly for girls who perceive less autonomy support in their primary sport. Results highlight the importance of promoting diverse sport opportunities for girls as a pathway to thriving.
Cultural competence is essential in applied sport psychology, yet limited research explores how master's-level programs prepare students to work effectively in this domain. This qualitative study examined perceptions of cultural competence training among 107 current students and recent graduates from sport psychology master's programs across the United States. Using reflexive thematic analysis, five themes emerged: (a) More diverse, multiculturally competent faculty are needed; (b) educators must recognize the identities and needs of a diverse student body; (c) multicultural sport psychology courses are lacking or are poorly timed; (d) multicultural content and processes need to be expanded and embedded; and (e) applied work facilitates multicultural skill development. Participants shared that cultural competence education was limited and insufficient across their training and called for greater curricular integration, more applied learning opportunities, and increased faculty representation. These findings underscore the need to design cultural competence training that fosters inclusive, skill-based preparation for trainees.
This study examined the mediating role of sports injury acceptance in the relationship between mindfulness and rehabilitation capabilities among injured athletes. In total, 372 responses were collected from athletes with previous injuries. Data were collected using an online survey conducted on university athletes affiliated with the Korea Sports Council. Results showed that mindfulness positively influenced both sports injury acceptance and rehabilitation capability. Furthermore, sports injury acceptance positively affected rehabilitation capability, indicating that it partially mediated the relationship between mindfulness and rehabilitation capability. These findings highlight the pivotal role of mindfulness techniques in improving rehabilitative capabilities of injured athletes. Acceptance of sports injuries, as opposed to avoidance or denial, has emerged as an essential factor in the relationship between mindfulness and rehabilitation capability. Therefore, rehabilitation programs incorporating mindfulness practices should prioritize cultivating an accepting attitude toward sports injuries to improve recovery outcomes.
Sport ranking systems play a significant role in how athletes monitor progress and evaluate their competitive standing. While rankings can support motivation and goal-setting, many athletes develop emotionally reactive or identity-based relationships with these numbers. This practice paper outlines the psychological mechanisms through which rankings affect athletes, including social comparison, contingent self-worth, cognitive distortions, and identity foreclosure. Common clinical and performance concerns are described, such as anxiety, depressive symptoms, burnout, perfectionism, and compulsive monitoring. Applied strategies are presented to help practitioners support athletes in developing healthier relationships with ranking systems. These include cognitive reframing, identity expansion, behavioral boundaries around ranking-checking, constructive use of ranking data to guide skill development, interdisciplinary collaboration with support staff, and mindfulness-based techniques. The goal is to equip practitioners with evidence-informed tools to promote balanced identity and process-oriented growth in athletes.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the MCOPE (Modified Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced) scale among Iranian student athletes. The psychometric properties of MCOPE, including the internal consistency of the scales, the test-retest reliability, the validity of the MCOPE structure, and males and females, were compared in the 12 scales of MCOPE. The confirmatory factor analysis results of this study showed sufficient fitness for the 46 items of the MCOPE. Furthermore, the internal consistency coefficient of 12 coping strategies was found to range between 0.66 and 0.89, which is acceptable. The test-retest reliability calculated for all the scales (except the denial scale) was between 0.32 and 0.61. The Persian version of the MCOPE scale holds acceptable psychometric properties, and it can be considered as a proper instrument used in the coping strategies adopted by athletes and student athletes.
Professional motorsport imposes unique psychological demands that can signifi-cantly impact athlete well-being. This mixed-methods case study explored the interplay between teamwork perceptions and mental health outcomes in two professional drivers with over a decade of experience. Data were collected longitudinally using the Multidimensional Assessment of Teamwork in Sport-Short form, Athlete Burnout Questionnaire, and BBC Well-Being Scale at three time points (pre-, mid-, and postseason), complemented by in-depth postseason interviews. Quantitative results revealed consistently high teamwork perceptions, low burnout perceptions, and elevated well-being scores. Thematic analysis highlighted that effective teamwork dynamics mitigated negative mental health outcomes, whereas communication and psychological safety were key factors in sustaining performance. This study underscores the importance of tailored psychological support strategies in motorsport and demonstrates how mixedmethods research can capture the nuanced challenges of elite sport without disrupting performance. These findings offer actionable insights for optimizing athlete well-being and team cohesion in high-stakes environments.
Research outside sport has shown that cognitive-behavioral approaches can help reduce perfectionism. However, research inside sport is still in its infancy. We compared three cognitive-behavioral approaches (cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy) in reducing perfectionism cognitions in an applied sport psychology context. Using a singlesubject multiple-baseline design, 12 academy rugby league players (Mage = 19.1 years, SD= 0.99) received eight, one-to-one cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or rational emotive behavior therapy sessions over 6 weeks. Measures of perfectionism cognitions and related outcomes were collected on a weekly basis, before, during, and after the intervention. The findings supported the use of all three cognitive-behavioral approaches, with acceptance and commitment therapy appearing to be particularly beneficial for reducing perfectionism cognitions. Due to the limitations of single-case research and lack of control over extraneous variables, more rigorous tests and comparisons of these interventions are now needed to confirm our findings.
Companion animals have become increasingly prevalent in various sport settings; however, little research has considered pets relative to athletics. The purpose of this study was exploratory and sought to provide initial insights into the dynamics of pet ownership among college athletes as well as to offer new avenues for research on the topic of companion animals in sport more generally. Data from 23 semistructured interviews revealed four themes that describe the relationship between pet ownership and collegiate sports: companion animals elicit affectionate behavior in contrast to the aggression and competitiveness central to sport, possession of companion animals is frowned upon by team leaders, pets necessitate time away from sport, and pets prompt a shift in the locus of control away from sports. These findings suggest that pet ownership among college athletes can be viewed as a form of socially acceptable deviant leisure that facilitates identity development beyond sport.
The Self-Regulatory Eating Attitude in Sports Scale (SREASS) assesses selfregulation of eating attitudes among athletes. This study aimed to cross-validate the SREASS, and specifically to translate it into German and Italian, and adapt it for French-speaking athletes in Switzerland. A total of 1,017 athletes aged 14-20 completed the SREASS and additional online measures of eating disturbances and emotion regulation. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a five-factor structure after removing two items, resulting in a 14-item version across all language. Measurement invariance was established across language groups. Internal consistency was satisfactory, except for the social interactions factor in the French version. Correlations with external measures supported convergent validity, though some variations across language groups suggest potential cultural influ-ences on the relationship between self-regulation, eating disturbances, and emotional regulation. Overall, the three language versions of the SREASS are suitable for assessing self-regulation of eating attitudes among Swiss adolescent athletes.
Social media has major implications for athletes' psychological well-being, defined as healthy cognitive, social, and emotional functioning, and sport performance (i.e., training and competitive outcomes). To explore this, 37 elite U.S. figure skaters completed a self-report questionnaire, and eight subsequently participated in semistructured interviews to contextualize the quantitative findings. Data analyses included paired-samples t tests and qualitative description. Results indicated variability in social media use, though nearly half the sample spent 1-2 hr on social media daily. Participants reported significantly greater negative, than positive, effects of social media on psychological well-being and performance. Threats to self-perception, body image, and focus were among the detriments. Benefits included social connection and mental performance enhancement. Coupled with strategies shared by participants, the findings inform clinical interventions and organizational-level efforts aimed at increasing athletes' awareness of effective social media management and fostering healthier, safer online experiences.
Due to the physical demands and cultural norms of competitive sport, collegiate athletes often report playing through pain. Understanding the psychological consequences of this pain is important for sport psychology professionals to support athlete well-being. The purpose of this study was to characterize the associations between pain experiences and mental health outcomes in collegiate athletes (n = 3,552). Results of structural equation modeling indicated that pain intensity was a significant predictor of pain interference, which in turn significantly predicted both depression and anxiety. Injury status was a significant predictor of pain intensity but not pain interference. This model was invariant across gender and sport type, though small differences emerged. Contact sport athletes reported greater pain interference while female athletes and noncontact sport athletes reported significantly higher anxiety levels. Implications for injury and pain management approaches that involve collaboration between sports medicine and sport psychology professionals are discussed.
We describe a clinical, evidence-based metaphor of a mountaineering expedition to assist mental health professionals in supporting and caring for the mental health of high-performance athletes. Our work is based on a qualitative analysis of responses to open-ended questions provided to 318 elite athletes in six European countries: Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Our mountaineering expedition metaphor, which we outline in terms of practical strategies to adopt as part of interventions to foster mental health, encompasses six interrelated themes that reflect key mental health support components: (a) preparing the expedition, (b) packing the backpack, (c) setting up base camp, (d) turning on the walkie-talkie, (e) attacking the summit , (f) debriefing. fi ng. The mountaineering expedition metaphor provides practical , transferable language to facilitate discussion, reduce stigma, and improve mental health literacy. Practitioners are invited to explore metaphor-based approaches to supporting mental health.
The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the relationship between body image and exercise habits in young adults (18-39 years) using a novel multimethod approach that incorporates both validated questionnaires and adjustable 3D body scanning applications. Two-hundred and eleven participants (128 F, 83 M) across two separate centers completed attitudinal body image assessments using the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale, and perceptual body image assessments using a mobile body scanning application adapted for body image evaluations. The participants provided information about their exercise habits, including their physical activity level, exercise frequency, and exercise modalities. Higher physical activity level and exercise frequency were associated with more positive body image perceptions, particularly among males. Resistance training and high-intensity interval training were linked to greater body satisfaction, while aerobic exercise was related to body dissatisfaction. Recognizing the unique connections between exercise habits and body image may help clinicians interpret behavioral patterns more effectively while safely engaging clients in exercise plans that align with their individual preferences and motivations.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and distress among competitive athletes in Spain. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 788 competitive athletes (age: 28.11 +/- 8.28 years; 38.9% female). Participants completed validated Spanish versions of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). The findings revealed that 35.5% of athletes exhibited depressive symptoms, 43.9% showed signs of anxiety, and 35.8% reported stress symptoms. Psychological distress was present in 27.5% of participants at high levels and in 13.5% at very high levels. Female athletes reported significantly higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress (p <.05) compared to male athletes. Sport-related injuries were associated with higher mental health symptom severity (p <.001), whereas competitive level and sport modality did not significantly influence the prevalence of symptoms. Mental health symptoms are prevalent among competitive athletes, with female athletes and injured athletes being particularly vulnerable. The findings suggest that mental health concerns in sports may not be solely linked to the demands of elite competition but rather influenced by broader individual factors. These results highlight the need for targeted psychological support and preventive strategies in sports settings.
