Effect of Mental Health on Level of Injury and Life Satisfaction among Young Elite Athletes-A Barrier or Augment: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Sports injuries can have long-term psychological and physical ramifications. For instance, concussions can affect a person's quality of life by causing a variety of cognitive problems and emotional swings. Joint injuries can also make athletes more susceptible to musculoskeletal issues in the future, which could limit their capacity to exercise and lower their level of enjoyment and general well-being. Gaining a thorough grasp of the mental health and psychological well-being unique to top athletes may help to improve models of treatment and management for this group, which might ultimately lead to improved performance, lower risk of injuries and improve quality of life. Sport professionals, such as coaches, medical personnel, and sport psychologists, need to have this understanding in order to help elite athletes improve their mental wellness by helping them build coping mechanisms. Methods: The study was performed in NIMS University, in 2024. The survey contained information about the purpose and objectives of the study, informed consent, sociodemographic questions, questions related to mental health, life satisfaction and level of injury questionnaires concerning various aspects of well-being (stress level, depression, anxiety, satisfaction, and physical health, level of physical, mental and social functioning). Result: In this study, a total of 258 participants were included in the analysis. The average age of the participants was 19.5 years, with 52.7% of the sample being women and 47.3% men. Conclusion: A distinct set of pressures that elite athletes face might make them more susceptible to mental illness. Important elements include coping with continuous performance pressure from competition, the psychological effects of injuries, life satisfaction, overtraining, and burnout, and intensive public and media scrutiny.