: Frequency, Intensity and Duration of Muscle Strengthening Activity and Associations with Mental Health

Objectives: Despite growing emphasis on the benefits of physical activity for promoting mental health, inclusion of muscle-strengthening (MS) (e.g., body-weight exercises, resistance machines) activities is limited. Notably, few studies collectively assess MS behavioural frequency, duration, and intensity. To address the gap, the current study examined associations between frequency (days), intensity (rating of perceived exertion in relation to repetitions in reserve [RPE/RIR]), and duration (minutes per typical session) of MS activities on anxiety, depression, and mental well-being.Method: A cross-sectional study of 601 participants (Mean age = 30.92 years [SD =12.70]; 57.7% female) across Ireland was conducted. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire containing MS instruments previously used, or adapted from valid and reliable measures (i.e., International Physical Activity Questionnaire IPAQ, RPE/RIR), alongside, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) and the Mental Health Continuum- Short Form (MHC-SF). A multivariate regression model was tested in MPLUS, using dummy coding for MS frequency in relation to no activity (i.e., 0-days) non-adherence (i.e., 1-day), adherence (i.e., 2-days) and enhanced adherence (i.e., &gt;3 days) to the MS public health guidelines, with the mental health variables representing the dependent variables. Intensity and duration were specified in the model as continuous variables; gender and age were included as statistical controls. Results: Three or more days engaged in MS activities was associated with fewer anxiety (β = -.12, p Conclusion: Higher frequency and intensity of MS activities may protect against anxiety and depression symptoms. Doing some MS activities (at least 1-day) is likely more beneficial than none for depression. Evidence-based, MS interventions may help curb mental illness rates, and future longitudinal, intervention-based research could consider inclusion of MS frequency, intensity and duration variables to enhance efforts to identify at-risk groups and trends within physical activity and mental illness surveillance.<br/

The Influence of Athletes’ Psychological Needs on Motivation, Burnout and Well-Being: a Test of Self-Determination Theory

Sport provides a significant role in the lives of athletes, however both positive and negative mental health effects may occur from sporting experiences, including burnout and/or well-being. A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 685 athletes (M age = 23.39, SD = 6.22, 71% = male), testing multiple, complementary, Self-Determination Theory (SDT) hypotheses linked to well-being and burnout. A multi-stage modelling approach encompassing confirmatory factor and path analysis was utilised, with results showing significant variance explained for well-being (R2=.30) and burnout (R2=.35). Several direct effects were found in line with SDT, including between; needs-support and needs satisfaction (β= .48), and needs-control and needs-frustration (β= .44); needs-satisfaction and motivational orientation (β= .25); needs-satisfaction and well-being (β= .37), and needs frustration and burnout (β= .25); motivational orientation and burnout (β= -.27), and motivational orientation and well-being (β= .18). Indirect effects were found for well-being and burnout via coach needs-support, needs satisfaction and motivational orientation in sequence (β=.24 and β=-.22, respectively); in addition to burnout via coach needs-control, needs frustration and motivational orientation in sequence (β=-.12). To conclude, coach-based, sporting mental health interventions that promote the utilisation of needs-supportive behaviours, whilst also highlighting the need to minimise needs-controlling behaviours, are recommended for the prevention of burnout and promotion of well-being in athletes

Comparing Mental Health of Athletes and Non-Athletes as they Emerge from a COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Athletes going through transition periods such as injury or retirement have previously reported feelings of depression and anxiety, especially when feeling unsupported. Cessation of competitive sport during the pandemic has forced athletes through a non-normative transition and has reduced many opportunities to satisfy their basic psychological needs increasing the risk of poor wellbeing and loneliness. Whilst athletes are often praised for their resilience—a trait that serves to support them during tough times—the inability to play sport can be particularly challenging for those with strong athletic identities. An online cross-sectional survey (n = 744) was conducted to capture adult athlete and non-athlete mental health factors (specifically wellbeing, depression, anxiety, loneliness) during emergence from a COVID-19 lockdown. Results showed that resilience was positively correlated with mental health but was no higher in athletes than non-athletes. Furthermore, athletes reported greater anxiety than non-athletes, a difference mediated by negative affectivity—a subfactor of athletic identity. We present evidence that after a temporary transition away from sport, athletes' resilience is comparable to non-athletes leaving them just as likely to suffer poor mental health. Moreover, athletes with strong athletic identities are likely to experience anxiety symptoms above and beyond those reported by non-athletes. Findings have implications for the development of self-management guidance for athletes as the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on sport participation continue