Formula One (F1) racing has recently grown in popularity, extending well beyond its traditional European roots. However, there has been a paucity of scholarly research dedicated to the health of drivers and even less discussion of the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms, risk factors, and types of psychopathology in F1. This is notable given advancements in sports psychiatry and evidence of psychiatric disorders emerging across other sports.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWeight-related issues can be prevalent in elite-level sports, especially in men's road cycling, where riders may exhibit harmful behaviours, with potentially adverse outcomes for mental and physical health. This study investigated Body Mass Index (BMI) values amongst the top five finishers in the three Grand Tours and the five Monuments races between 1994 and 2023 to assess longitudinal patterns. Publicly available height and weight figures were sourced from ProCyclingStats and BMI scores were calculated for = 154 and = 255 individual athletes for the Grand Tours and Monuments, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHistorically, bicycle riding connoted freedom, independence, and enhanced mental and physical wellbeing for women. Persevering through criticism and moral panic, female cyclists have been competitive since the late 19th century-many earning substantial prize money and prestige. Unfortunately, this progress was not linear in its trajectory and contemporary professional women's cycling continues to be pervaded by structural and cultural challenges, which can have deleterious effects on athlete mental health.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThere has been a growing interest around the broader effects of psychopathic traits, particularly in relation to deviant behaviors and the notion of so-called "successful psychopathy". As significant sociocultural touchstones, sporting events are often characterized by competitiveness and a sense of prestige. However, there has been limited attention towards psychopathic traits across recreational, amateur, and elite sports.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Interest in ultra endurance sport (UES) is increasing, with relevant events growing in popularity. However, these activities may encompass more complex characteristics and demands that do not correspond to scientifically validated correlations between physical activity and improved health. It is unknown whether high volume training for UES can have adverse implications, although certain sociocultural aspects of western society, such as an emphasis on autonomy and self-directed success, may encourage participation as a representation of personal achievement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Sports Med
December 2023
Despite the public health benefits of cycling in the general population, mental health issues may be evident in high-performance and elite-level competitive domains. With prominent riders disclosing their experiences with psychiatric symptoms, distinctive socioenvironmental factors could exacerbate psychopathological vulnerabilities. This suggests a need for greater mental health awareness amongst stakeholders, supplemented by actions from international and national federations and regulators.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Although research suggests that exercise benefits mental health, psychiatric disorders have been acknowledged in the ultra-endurance-athlete population. At present, the mental-health consequences of high-volume training associated with ultra-endurance sports are not well understood.
Methods: We conducted a narrative review summarizing primary observations about mental disorders per ICD-11 criteria in ultra-endurance athletes using a keyword search in Scopus and PubMed.