Depressive symptoms in high-performance athletes and non-athletes: a comparative meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether a difference exists in the prevalence of mild or more severe depressive symptoms between high-performance athletes and non-athletes. DESIGN: Comparative OR meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: We searched PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and Google Scholar, as well as the reference lists of reviews of mental health issues in high-performance athletes. ELIGIBILITY: We included studies that compared high-performance athletes and non-athletes, included a validated measure of depressive symptoms and included the prevalence of individuals who indicated at least mild depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Five articles reporting data from 1545 high-performance athletes and 1811 non-athletes were examined. A comparative OR meta-analysis found high-performance athletes were no more likely than non-athletes to report mild or more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.15, 95% CI=0.954 to 1.383, p=0.145). Male high-performance athletes (n=940) were no more likely than male non-athletes (n=605) to report mild or more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.17, 95% CI=0.839 to 1.616, p=0.362). For females, high-performance athletes (n=948) were no more likely than non-athletes (n=605) to report mild or more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.11, 95% CI=0.846 to 1.442, p=0.464). Overall, male high-performance athletes (n=874) were 52% less likely to report mild or more severe depressive symptoms than female high-performance athletes (n=705) (OR=0.48, 95% CI=0.369 to 0.621, p<0.001). SUMMARY/CONCLUSIONS: High-performance athletes were just as likely as non-athletes to report depressive symptoms. Researchers need to move beyond self-report measures of depressive symptoms and examine the prevalence of clinically diagnosed depressive disorders in athletes.

Examining methods, messengers and behavioural theories to disseminate physical activity information to individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Many individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia are not active and lack the necessary knowledge and confidence to become and stay active. To develop effective physical activity promotion interventions, it is necessary to identify credible messengers and effective methods to disseminate physical activity information to this population. AIMS: The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and examine knowledge mobilization theories, messengers and methods used to disseminate physical activity information to individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. METHOD: This scoping review followed the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. RESULTS: In total, 43 studies and 7 reviews identified multiple messengers and methods used to disseminate physical activity information to individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, but few attempts to structure information theoretically. Findings do not point to which messengers or methods are most effective or which theories should be used to construct information interventions. Studies show that physical activity information should be provided in an individualised manner from staff who could easily connect with patients. CONCLUSIONS: Few researchers have addressed the physical activity information needs of individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Researchers need to examine and implement effective knowledge mobilization strategies for this population.