Scheer Volker, Valero David, Valero Encarna, Weiss Katja, Rosemann Thomas, Knechtle Beat
Ultra Sports Science Foundation, Pierre-Benite, France.
Paediatric Department, Vinalopo Hospital, Elche, Spain.
Front Psychol. 2025 Jul 7;16:1619220. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1619220. eCollection 2025.
Anxiety and sleep problems may negatively impact health and athletic performance.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey study in endurance (≥21.1-42.2 km) and ultra-endurance runners (≥42.2 km), screening for anxiety and sleep problems, assessing potential associated factors and sex differences. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, testing of group differences with the Kruskal-Wallis -test, and Dunn's tests, allowing for Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, predictive techniques, and regression analysis.
A total of 601 runners participated (female = 222; male = 379; mean age 42.8 ± 10.1 years). Overall, 13.5% screened positive for anxiety (female 16.2% compared to men 11.9%; n.s.) and 28.8% for sleep problems (female 32.9% compared to men 26.4%; n.s.). Anxiety and sleep problems were observed significantly more often in half marathon runners (25.2%; ( < 0.001) and 38.3%, ( = 0.02), respectively) compared to marathon (9.8 and 28.4%) and ultramarathon distance runners (11.1 and 28.2%). No statistical differences were found between sexes and performance levels (elite versus non-elite). Associated factors for anxiety included sleep problems ( < 0.001), younger age (<29 years; p < 0.001), years practicing the sport (>10 years; = 0.006), and distance category ( = 0.03). Associated factors for sleep problems included anxiety ( < 0.001), competition frequency (>4 per year; = 0.006), and injury-related absences ( = 0.001).
Mental health issues, such as anxiety and sleep problems are common in endurance and ultra-endurance runners and positive screening for anxiety co-existed and was associated with positive screening for sleep problems. This study demonstrates that identifying and screening for anxiety and sleep problems is important, as well as the need for creating awareness, education, preventative strategies, and support services.
焦虑和睡眠问题可能会对健康和运动表现产生负面影响。
我们对耐力跑者（≥21.1 - 42.2千米）和超级耐力跑者（≥42.2千米）进行了一项横断面调查研究，筛查焦虑和睡眠问题，评估潜在相关因素及性别差异。统计方法包括描述性统计、用Kruskal - Wallis检验和邓恩检验进行组间差异检验，对多重比较采用Bonferroni校正、预测技术和回归分析。
共有601名跑者参与（女性 = 222名；男性 = 379名；平均年龄42.8 ± 10.1岁）。总体而言，13.5%的人焦虑筛查呈阳性（女性为16.2%，男性为11.9%；无显著差异），28.8%的人存在睡眠问题（女性为32.9%，男性为26.4%；无显著差异）。与马拉松跑者（9.8%和28.4%）及超级马拉松跑者（11.1%和28.2%）相比，半程马拉松跑者中焦虑和睡眠问题的发生率显著更高（分别为25.2%，<0.001；38.3%，=0.02）。性别和运动水平（精英与非精英）之间未发现统计学差异。焦虑的相关因素包括睡眠问题（<0.001）、年龄较小（<29岁；p<0.001）、从事该运动的年限（>10年；=0.006）以及距离类别（=0.03）。睡眠问题的相关因素包括焦虑（<0.001）、比赛频率（>每年4次；=0.006）以及与伤病相关的缺勤（=0.001）。
焦虑和睡眠问题等心理健康问题在耐力跑者和超级耐力跑者中很常见，焦虑筛查呈阳性与睡眠问题筛查呈阳性并存且相关。本研究表明，识别和筛查焦虑及睡眠问题很重要，同时也需要提高认识、开展教育、制定预防策略和提供支持服务。
