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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.

Last updated: Aug 23, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Mental health in endurance running: Beyond the prevalence of mental health symptoms toward understanding underlying mechanisms.

observational

Thuany M, Knechtle B, Scheer V · The Journal of international medical research (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: N/A (commentary, no intervention)
Outcome: Prevalence of mental health symptoms (anxiety, exercise addiction, sleep disorders, suicidal ideation)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Endurance runners

Result:

PubMed: 42610934DOI: 10.1177/03000605261476814

Mechanism Graph

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

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

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References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.