Sport-related activities may facilitate post-disaster mental health recovery through physiological regulation, psychological empowerment, and social reconnection.
This narrative review of 11 studies proposes that sport-related activities (participatory and spectator-based) can aid mental health recovery after natural disasters by modulating the HPA axis, restoring self-efficacy, and rebuilding social networks. The evidence is observational and heterogeneous, so causal effects cannot be established.
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Sport-related activities may facilitate post-disaster mental health recovery through physiological regulation, psychological empowerment, and social reconnection. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Sport-related activities may facilitate post-disaster mental health recovery through physiological regulation, psychological empowerment, and social reconnection.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Populations affected by natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, wildfires, storms).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Sport-related activities as a psychosocial strategy for mental health recovery following natural disasters: a narrative review. (Frontiers in public health, 2026) — This narrative review of 11 studies proposes that sport-related activities (participatory and spectator-based) can aid mental health recovery after natural disasters by modulating the HPA axis, restoring self-efficacy, and rebuilding social networks. The evidence is observational and heterogeneous, so causal effects cannot be established.
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Physiological regulation: modulation of HPA axis, reduction of cortisol reactivity, enhancement of neuroplasticity
- ▸Psychological empowerment: restoration of self-efficacy, meaning-making through narrative reconstruction, cognitive reframing of traumatic memories
- ▸Social reconnection: rebuilding peer support networks, fostering collective identity, strengthening community resilience
- ▸Result: Reduction in trauma-specific disorders, affective disorders, social dysfunction, and somatic symptoms
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Populations affected by natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, wildfires, storms)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Methodological heterogeneity and observational nature of the included evidence precludes causal inference
- ▸Small number of studies (11) and lack of rigorous systematic review methodology
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of sport-related activities are considered in this review?▼
The review distinguishes between 'participatory' activities (e.g., exercise, structured sport) and 'spectator-based' activities (e.g., team identification, media narratives).
What mental health outcomes are addressed?▼
The review identifies four dimensions: trauma-specific disorders (PTSD, peritraumatic reactions), affective disorders (depression, anxiety), social dysfunction (isolation, loss of community cohesion), and somatic symptoms (sleep disturbances, pain, fatigue).
Can sport-related activities replace traditional mental health services after disasters?▼
No, the review concludes they represent a promising, low-cost adjunctive strategy, not a replacement, especially in under-resourced settings.
What are the proposed mechanisms for recovery?▼
Three mechanisms are proposed: physiological regulation (HPA axis modulation), psychological empowerment (self-efficacy, meaning-making), and social reconnection (peer support, community resilience).
References
- 1.Zhou J, Wei J. “Sport-related activities as a psychosocial strategy for mental health recovery following natural disasters: a narrative review..” Frontiers in public health, 2026. PMID: 42494892 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1894225