Exploring the Link Between Sports Participation and Adult Well-Being
Sports participation has long been celebrated for its numerous benefits, extending beyond physical fitness to encompass mental health and social well-being in adults. In a recent systematic review conducted by Narelle Eather, Levi Wade, Aurélie Pankowiak, and Rochelle Eime, published in Systematic Reviews, the impact of sports involvement on mental health and social outcomes in adults was thoroughly examined. This review not only sheds light on the existing literature but also introduces the 'Mental Health through Sport' conceptual model, offering a framework to understand the intricate relationship between sports and well-being in adulthood.
The review encompassed a comprehensive search across nine electronic databases, spanning studies from 2012 to March 2020. Qualitative and quantitative studies exploring the association between sports participation and mental health and/or social outcomes in adult populations were considered. Quality assessment tools were employed to evaluate the risk of bias, ensuring the robustness of the findings.
Key Findings
Among the 8,528 articles screened, 29 studies involving adults aged 18–84 years were included for analysis. The synthesized evidence underscores the positive correlation between sports engagement and mental health, manifesting in enhanced psychological well-being and diminished psychological distress, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Moreover, participation in sports, particularly team sports, was associated with improved social outcomes, including heightened self-esteem, pro-social behavior, and a sense of belonging.
Team sports emerged as particularly beneficial, offering additional advantages over individual sports. However, it's noteworthy that elite-level athletes may face heightened psychological distress compared to their non-elite counterparts. While qualitative studies demonstrated low risk of bias, inconsistencies were observed in the methodological quality of quantitative studies.
Conclusion:
This systematic review reaffirms the manifold benefits of sports participation for adult mental health and social well-being. The findings advocate for the integration of sports activities into adult lifestyles, with team sports holding promise for fostering holistic well-being. Moreover, the introduction of the 'Mental Health through Sport' conceptual model lays the groundwork for future research endeavors, emphasizing the need for longitudinal studies to elucidate the mechanisms underlying sports' impact on mental health. Additionally, qualitative investigations are warranted to delve deeper into the nuanced dynamics between sporting environments and well-being outcomes among adult participants.