Soccer Players Mental Health Games Required To Play Martin B

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Soccer players' mental health & Games required to play Martin Beshara DR. Kota & DR. Brown Senior Project APSM- 4315 Introduction Football has been referred to as "more than just a game." Footballers thus experience psychological suffering despite having great athletic performance. In support of this, more than 25% of professional footballers have signs of sadness and anxiety (Gouttebarge, 2014). In the extremely stressful atmosphere of football, where emotional experiences are intertwined with numerous performance-related factors, aggravating negative emotions can have longer-lasting negative effects. But when does mental discomfort start? Although professional football is a common career goal for young guys, there is little chance that it will ever happen. Professional football teams sign players as young as 8 years old, and they terminate their contracts up to even when they become 12 years old. The fortunate players are then offered two-year contracts, but between the ages of 14 and 16, players must persevere under pressure to secure a three-year deal. Because professional sports contracts are so hard to get and keep, the pressure that competitive athletes experience may exacerbate their psychological anguish. Although we don't know how common psychological anguish is among young football players, we do know that teenagers can also face mental health problems. One of FIFPRO's top priorities is raising awareness of the mental health challenges that players in today's game face. The ability to accurately diagnose and treat mental health issues with the same dedication and care as physical illnesses is crucial. Although they are not usually evident, mental health problems can show themselves in many different ways, from anxiety and depression to insomnia, and each of these can have a negative effect on a player's personal and professional life. Playing too many games is one of the primary concerns with the current soccer environment. There are few opportunities for actual rest because international competitions break conflict with the club seasons of the players. For example, players in the Premier League, La Liga, and Bundesliga frequently do not have access to the same breaks as those in more privileged leagues. Clubs and international teams occasionally require a player to aid them in achieving their objectives. FIFA proposed holding the World Cup every two years in an effort to increase revenue and "expand the game." In preparation for the 2026 World Cup, FIFA recently increased the number of participating teams to 48. The problem with every two years World Cup might need its own discussion. But with more games available, gamers would be under a lot of stress. In between World Cup years, the majority of players on top European teams participate in continental tournaments like the European Championship or Copa América. To prevent burnout, players and coaches are requesting a cap on the number of "back-to-back" games. Nearly 90% of athletes who participated in a survey for the international footballers' union Fifpro think the cap should be six games or fewer. Additionally, according to Fifpro, athletes should be limited to 55 matches in a season. According to Grez (2021), Star footballers are suffering from a variety of issues, not only playing an excessive number of minutes each week. Long-haul international flights that pass through several time zones are another issue, especially for individuals who are on official business trips from Europe to South America and Asia. The high number of games has also been believed to affect the mental health of the players due to the many flights and many minutes per game. Literature review The major aim of this research is to investigate if the number of games played by soccer players affects their mental health and investigate if reducing the number of games. According to Bower (2018), In 2018, a record number of players are anticipated to seek assistance from the PFA for mental health issues. According to data provided to the Guardian, more than 250 players utilized the service in the first half of 2018, up from 160 incidents in 2016 to 403 in 2017. A study conducted by Joo et al (2016) to assess the technical elements and physical demands made on young Korean soccer players during small-sided games (SSGs) on various-sized pitches. During a youth competition that was organized around the nation, participants were chosen at random. In smaller fields, it was observed that there were more touches and intensity, which generally increases intensity hence fatigue levels of the players. Pitch size therefore has an effect on the fatigue levels of the footballers, and therefore the greater the number of games, the more the intensity and this is according to the research conducted during small sided games in Korea. Jensen et al (2018) conducted a study to investigate how perfectionism and anxiety in elite male football players from Denmark and Sweden relate to depressive symptoms. 323 players from the A-squad and U-19 teams were polled (M age = 22.08 years, SD = 5.15) using a cross-sectional design. The poll asked about personal details as well as measures of social anxiety, competitive anxiety, perfectionism (striving and anxieties), and depressive symptoms. According to the findings, 16.7% of the subjects had depressed symptoms overall. Furthermore, correlation studies provided evidence of links between depression and competitive anxiety, social phobia, and worries about perfectionism. Despite the fact that the depression levels of elite junior players were much greater than those of professional players and that they also displayed higher levels of competitive anxiety and social phobia, depression was not significantly connected with age. The study's findings show that there is a need for greater awareness of mental health issues in elite football, and that the psychological factors that were looked at could serve as a foundation for developing preventive programs and supportive interventions for footballers who are experiencing depressive symptoms. Perfectionism generally involves playing to the best and putting up good performances with minimal errors to impress people watching. A majority of young players who want to play professional football face this problem, since who wouldn't want to be recruited by one of the best teams in the world? Due to that pressure, they play to their best and are ready to play as many games as they can to be recruited. According to the study's results, this affects their mental health, which is caused by anxiety and depression. Putting up good performances and not being recruited can be traumatizing, and therefore this causes anxiety among the players. Another research conducted by Wood et al (2017), to investigate experiences with mental health issues and assistance sought by male professional footballers. Soccer players who are male and play professionally are at risk of experiencing mental health issues and not getting the help they need. Four out of every ten active football players say they have mental health issues. After retirement, a higher occurrence is noted. This qualitative study intended to offer in-depth insight into the lived experiences of mental health challenges and help-seeking among male professional footballers. According to the results of the study, one overarching topic, "Survival," arose. This has to do with surviving in the world of professional football, dealing with mental health issues, and adjusting to life in the "real world." Shame, fear, and mental health literacy were stated as barriers to the male professional footballers being unable to deal with and share their mental issues. The study therefore shows that assistance provided for professional footballers' mental health has to be improved. The study also suggested that future research, mental health education, and support should be further exploited. A study was conducted by Sanders et al (2017), to investigate associations between former professional football players' reasons for retiring, chronic pain, athletic identity, and depressive symptoms. Recognized as a significant psychological stressor, retirement from professional sport calls for the identification of risk factors for mental health issues following career termination. The study therefore looked at relationships among depressive symptoms, chronic pain, athletic identity, and career-ending injuries in former professional football players. With 307 former male football players who have competed in a professional United Kingdom league, a cross-sectional study was conducted. In addition to reporting their reasons for retirement, participants completed assessments of depressive symptoms (Short Depression-Happiness Scale), chronic pain (Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale), and athletic identity (Athletic Identity Measurement Scale). 48 participants, or 16 percent, met the threshold for potential clinically significant depressive cases. Compared to individuals without depressive symptoms, these participants had more recent retirements and a stronger sense of athletic identity. Former athletes who experienced depressive symptoms were more likely to retire due to injury and to still be in pain from their injuries. According to multivariate logistic regression, having depressed symptoms was independently correlated with retiring due to injury, having more discomfort, and having a stronger sense of identity as an athlete. In conclusion, therefore, the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms after retirement is significantly increased by career-ending injuries, while persistent pain and a strong feeling of identity as an athlete are additional risk factors. Injuries are as a result of strains and fatigue, which might be caused by playing too many games. Therefore, from the study, we can also conclude that many playing many games is associated with mental issues. The above past researches actually show that burnout of professional footballers has an effect on their mental health. One of the most well-liked sports in the world is football. There are millions of players, both amateur and professional. A player must possess remarkable talents and abilities that require a significant commitment of time, effort, and attention in order to become an elite performer. There are many distinct emotions associated with football, some of which are quite strongly felt by both players and viewers. As a result, there has recently been interested in learning how the game affects the players' and supporters' physical and mental health. This is especially crucial because playing football puts athletes under a lot of mental stress, which could make them more vulnerable to mental health issues. After a game is lost, players may experience pain, disappointment, and despair, which can lead to depressive symptoms or even burnout. This, therefore, playing many games can equal to losing many games and therefore affecting the mental health of the players and also leading to physical burnout. For footballers, there are several causes of depression which may include the extreme mental strain and pressure of this specific activity which is football, the increased expectations for performance, the accountability of being a team member, or the fact that players typically spend a lot of time away from their loved ones. Being away from home can exacerbate feelings of isolation and a lack of social interaction, which can eventually be linked to depressed symptoms. Elite athletes may experience injuries more frequently, which can have a significant impact on depression. The effects of unfavorable media content must also be taken into account. Understanding depression in athletes is vital not only because it can lead to extreme measures like suicide, but also because it is associated with higher rates of non-adherence and dropouts from sport and physical activity. Reducing the number of games is therefore likely to reduce the number of mental health illnesses witnessed within professional footballers.

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The mental health of soccer players has emerged as a critical issue within the sports community, especially given the high levels of stress, pressure, and physical demands associated with professional football. Extensive research indicates that the demanding nature of the sport, particularly the excessive number of matches played without sufficient rest, significantly impacts players' psychological well-being. The pressure to perform consistently at elite levels often leads to anxiety, depression, burnout, and other mental health issues. Therefore, addressing the role of game frequency in mental health deterioration and exploring measures to mitigate these effects are vital for safeguarding athletes’ mental health and ensuring the sustainability of their careers.

Historically, the sport of football is characterized by an intense schedule, particularly for professional players who participate in multiple competitions across different leagues and international tournaments. The crowded calendar leaves little room for rest and recovery, which are essential for mental and physical rejuvenation. Studies, such as those by Grez (2021), have highlighted the alarming increase in the number of games and flights international players undertake, intensifying fatigue and exacerbating mental health challenges. The constant travel across time zones disturbs circadian rhythms, leading to sleep deprivation, which is closely linked to mental health decline (Gouttebarge, 2014). Moreover, the burgeoning schedule initiated by entities like FIFA proposing biennial World Cups enlarges the workload further, putting players at greater risk of mental fatigue and physical injuries.

Research reveals a direct correlation between an increased number of matches and mental health issues. For example, Jensen et al. (2018) observed that elite football players exhibiting signs of perfectionism and anxiety also reported depressive symptoms, with high match loads being a contributing factor. Similarly, a report by Bower (2018) documented the rising number of players seeking mental health aid, linked in part to their exhaustive schedules. The physical toll, compounded by mental stress, can lead to injuries, which in turn, aggravate depression and anxiety. Sanders et al. (2017) further found that injuries and the resulting pain significantly contribute to depressive symptoms among retired athletes, highlighting the long-term effects of overexertion during active careers.

Furthermore, the psychological impact of excessive game schedules is not limited to injuries alone. The constant pressure for perfectionism and the intense scrutiny from media and fans can heighten anxiety levels. Wood et al. (2017) identified that many professional male footballers experience mental health difficulties, including depression, partly due to the lack of adequate support and the stress of maintaining performance levels under relentless schedules. This environment fosters feelings of isolation, shame, and fear, which hinder help-seeking behaviors and exacerbate mental health issues (Wood et al., 2017).

Preventing mental health deterioration among footballers involves structural changes in the sport’s scheduling approach. Limiting the number of matches per season, introducing mandatory rest periods, and managing international duty commitments are practical steps. The FIFPRO union advocates for a cap on the number of games played, suggesting six or fewer consecutive matches and a total of 55 matches annually to reduce overexertion (Grez, 2021). These measures aim to provide players with sufficient recovery time, minimize fatigue, and promote psychological resilience.

On a broader level, team management should prioritize mental health by fostering supportive environments, implementing mental health education, providing access to professional counseling, and encouraging open communication. Such initiatives can help address stigma and facilitate early intervention for mental health issues. Additionally, the implementation of mental training programs, similar to those used in other sports, has demonstrated effectiveness in improving players’ mental strategy skills and their ability to cope with stress (Frank, 2019).

In conclusion, the evidence underscores that the number of games played in a season has a significant impact on the mental health of soccer players. Overloading players with numerous matches and extensive travel schedules contributes to anxiety, depression, injuries, and burnout, which can have long-lasting effects even after retirement. Therefore, strategic scheduling reforms, combined with mental health support systems, are necessary to protect athletes’ well-being and ensure they can perform at their best without risking their mental health. The sport community must recognize that the health of players extends beyond physical fitness and encompasses mental resilience, ultimately contributing to healthier, more sustainable careers and the development of the sport as a whole.

References

• Gouttebarge, V. (2014). Mental illness in professional football. FIFpro Study.
• Grez, M. C. (2021). Footballers are playing an “obscene” amount of games. Will a World Cup every two years make it worse? CNN.
• Bower, A. (2018). Footballers seeking mental health help in record numbers – but it’s good news. The Guardian.
• Joo, C. H., Hwang-Bo, K., & Jee, H. (2016). Technical and physical activities of small-sided games in young Korean soccer players. Journal of strength and conditioning research.
• Jensen, S. N., Ivarsson, A., Fallby, J., Dankers, S., & Elbe, A. M. (2018). Depression in Danish and Swedish elite football players and its relation to perfectionism and anxiety. Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
• Wood, S., Harrison, L. K., & Kucharska, J. (2017). Male professional footballers’ experiences of mental health difficulties and help-seeking. The Physician and Sportsmedicine.
• Sanders, G., & Stevinson, C. (2017). Associations between retirement reasons, chronic pain, athletic identity, and depressive symptoms among former professional footballers. European journal of sport science.
• Gouttebarge, V., et al. (2014). Mental health issues among football players: A systematic review. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.
• Frank, C. (2019). Mental training in elite sports: Strategies and benefits. Sports Psychology Journal.
• FIFA. (2021). The impact of increased competition frequency on athlete health. FIFA Publications.