Sport and Exercise Psychology: Mental Health in Athletes and Exercisers
A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 1555
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The link between exercise, sports and mental health has long been established. There is plenty of evidence suggesting the critical role of regular exercise and active living to enhance mental health, cognitive and emotional wellbeing, yet the reverse relationship remains largely underexplored—i.e., how mental health influences exercise behaviour, adherence and performance. Understanding this bidirectionality is crucial for both clinical and sporting contexts. A similar but complex phenomenon is the ongoing debate regarding athletes’ mental health. Some colleagues argue that athletes operate under a unique psychological condition shaped by pressure for performance, leading to higher resistance to distress, while other researchers argue that the same pressures actually contribute to heightened mental health vulnerabilities. This conundrum highlights the need for nuanced, evidence-based research. Thus, in this Special Issue, we welcome empirical and theoretical contributions examining the relationship between sports, exercise and mental health; the psychological demands of sports participation; and the mental health profiles of athletes across all levels. Papers integrating physiological, psychological and social dimensions under the biopsychosocial paradigm are particularly encouraged.
Dr. Alberto Filgueiras
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- mental health
- sports
- athletes
- exercise
- physiology
- psychology
- physical activity
- wellbeing
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