Association between anxiety and depression symptoms and musculoskeletal injury history in athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Background: Athletes present symptoms of anxiety and depression in a similar way to non-athletes. Young athletes tend to have more symptoms of anxiety and depression than adults. These psychological symptoms in athletes can be considered
risk factors for an injury. An injury may or may not result in withdrawal from sporting activities. The severity of a musculoskeletal condition can be measured by the time lost away from activities in days. Athletes who suffer more severe time-loss injuries tend to have more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Objective: The objective of this study was to correlate a history of time-loss injuries with symptoms of anxiety and depression in young athletes. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Participants included were
volleyball athletes from the Clube de Regatas Flamengo, over 12 years old, and weren’t absent due to injuries. Patient-reported outcome Measures (PROMs) were used to assess the following outcomes: Generalized Anxiety Disorders 7-item (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms, Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) for depression symptoms, Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) for the history of time-loss injuries, and severity classified by days of time-loss, in addition to a sociodemographic questionnaire. Statistical tests of Pearson's correlation were used in numeric variables with a 95% confidence interval. Results: 58 athletes participated in the research, being 62% male. 53% of these athletes suffered time-loss injuries in the last year. 60% of athletes did show symptoms of anxiety, while 40% of athletes did show symptoms of depression. Weak positive associations between the history of time-loss injuries in the last 12 months and scores of GAD-7 (r: 0,26; IC95%: 0,005-0,48) and PHQ-9 (r: 0,26; IC95%: 0,009-0,49). The severity of the time-loss injuries in the last 12 months was not associated with the scores of GAD-7 (r: 0,4; IC95%: -0,23-0,30) and PHQ-9 (r:
0,56; IC95%: -0,21-0,32). Scores of GAD-7 were strongly associated with PHQ-9 (r: 0,77; IC 95%: 0,64-0,86). Conclusion: There's a weak association between the history of time-loss injuries and symptoms of anxiety and depression in young athletes. There is no association between the severity of time-loss injuries and psychological symptoms. A better understanding of the relation of time-loss injuries with symptoms of anxiety and depression, warns us about the possible need for strategies of multidisciplinary follow-up of athletes with a history of time-loss injuries.