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Research: Team Spirit! Sport Participation Enhances Mental Health

Sport participation improves adult mental health, with team sports offering added social benefits like increased self-esteem, life satisfaction, and connection. The study introduced a ‘Mental Health through Sport’ model showing how physical activity and social interaction support wellbeing, though elite athletes may face greater psychological stress. Australian universities could use these findings to promote inclusive campus sports programs that foster connection and improve mental health, while also providing targeted support for elite student-athletes.

Citation: Eather, N., Wade, L., Pankowiak, A., Eime, R. The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model. Systematic Reviews, 12, 2023. (link)

More Articles in Healthy Campus Projects

UniSport Successfully Hosts Healthy Campus Community of Practice Session On Student Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Forty-seven university representatives from across Australia and New Zealand came together online on Tuesday 28 July for the latest UniSport Healthy Campus Community of Practice, which explored practical ways to advance mental health and wellbeing through the FISU Healthy Campus program.   Mental health and wellbeing continue to be a key focus for universities globally, with […]

Research: The Push-Up Challenge Delivers More Than Fitness

Physical activity initiatives offer universities an opportunity to improve student wellbeing while encouraging conversations about mental health. The University of Melbourne evaluated The Push-Up Challenge, a national program combining a month-long physical activity challenge with daily mental health education, self-care messages and help-seeking information. Tracking more than 29,000 participants, the study found improvements in wellbeing, […]

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