Former studies have shown both positive and negative effects of athleticism on mental health. Competitive sports increasingly led to anxiety disorders, depression or eating disorders, whereas mass sports had a positive impact on mental health by reducing anxiety, enhancing the mood or leading to an improved body image. Furthermore, gender differences where shown as female athletes suffered more often from mental health problems than male athletes. The aim of this study was to replicate the results already shown, to that effect that competitive sports are negatively related to mental health, whereas mass sports show a positive relationship with mental health. In this study the mental health was characterized by anxiousness, depressiveness and/or distinctive eating habits. In addition, gender differences were striven to be shown. Therefor, 202 participants (female = 110, male = 92) were investigated. They listed themselves as elite athletes (n = 65), mass athletes (n = 71) or non-athletes (n = 66) according to given criteria while taking part in an online-survey. Furthermore, anxiousness and depressiveness were assessed by BSI while distinctive eating habits were assessed by FEV. In addition, the eating and sporting behaviors were assessed during a three day eating diary. Statistical analysis showed no relationship between physical activity and mental health. Competitive athletes showed no higher anxiousness or depressiveness levels nor more distinctive eating habits than mass athletes and non-athletes. Mass athletes did not benefit of their sporting activity compared to non-athletes. In addition, further analysis showed that women showed more distinctive eating behaviors than men. To further reconnoiter the effect of sport participation on mental health, follow-up studies should be conducted. |