Endurance runners experience a higher prevalence of several mental health symptoms, including anxiety, exercise addiction, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation, which is multifactorial and involves self-selection, sport-specific demands, and biopsychosocial factors.
This commentary highlights that endurance runners have a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms such as anxiety, exercise addiction, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation. The authors argue that these outcomes are multifactorial, involving self-selection processes, sport-specific demands, and broader biopsychosocial factors, and emphasize the need for longitudinal and qualitative research.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Endurance runners experience a higher prevalence of several mental health symptoms, including anxiety, exercise addiction, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation, which is multifactorial and involves self-selection, sport-specific demands, and biopsychosocial factors. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Endurance runners experience a higher prevalence of several mental health symptoms, including anxiety, exercise addiction, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation, which is multifactorial and involves self-selection, sport-specific demands, and biopsychosocial factors.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Endurance runners.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Mental health in endurance running: Beyond the prevalence of mental health symptoms toward understanding underlying mechanisms. (The Journal of international medical research, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Self-selection processes may predispose individuals with certain mental health profiles to endurance running
- ▸Sport-specific demands (e.g., high training volume, competition stress) may exacerbate or trigger symptoms
- ▸Biopsychosocial factors (e.g., genetics, psychological traits, social environment) interact with training and demographics
- ▸Result: Higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in endurance runners
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Endurance runners
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Commentary based on existing evidence, not original empirical data
- ▸No specific prevalence rates or effect sizes provided
- ▸Potential publication bias in the cited literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What mental health symptoms are more prevalent in endurance runners?▼
Anxiety, exercise addiction, sleep disorders, and suicidal ideation.
Is the higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in endurance runners due to a single cause?▼
No, the authors state it is multifactorial, involving self-selection, sport-specific demands, and biopsychosocial factors.
What future research is recommended?▼
Longitudinal studies, clinical diagnostic assessments, investigation of pre-existing mental health conditions, and qualitative approaches.
Does this paper provide specific prevalence numbers?▼
No, it is a commentary and does not report specific prevalence rates.
References
- 1.Thuany M, Knechtle B, Scheer V. “Mental health in endurance running: Beyond the prevalence of mental health symptoms toward understanding underlying mechanisms..” The Journal of international medical research, 2026. PMID: 42610934 DOI: 10.1177/03000605261476814