Anxiety symptoms evaluation among brazilian national american football team athletes: a descriptive study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2024.v14.1266Keywords:
Athletes, Anxiety, American Football, Mental HealthAbstract
Introduction: Being an elite athlete involves sacrifices and great pressure, exposing them to mental health risks such as depression, substance use, and anxiety. In American football, popular in the U.S. and growing in Brazil, athletes' mental health is still under-researched. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Brazilian American football players. Objectives: The objective of the study is to describe the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in athletes from the Brazilian national American football teams (both male and female) in 2022, associating these symptoms with sociodemographic, athletic, and health-related data. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with 61 athletes from the Brazilian national American football teams. Data were collected between June and August 2023 through online questionnaires, including a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The analysis used statistical tests, such as Pearson's chi-square and independent samples t-tests. Results: The sample, composed of athletes with an average age of 29.2 years, found that 44.3% showed symptoms of anxiety. The main associated risk factors were being male, younger age, and having less time practicing the sport. Conclusion: The results suggest that sex, age, and experience in the sport influence anxiety levels in Brazilian American football athletes. These findings expand the understanding of the mental health challenges faced by this population and emphasize the need for greater support for the professional development of the sport in the country.
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