Vol. 11, Issue 6, Part E (2025)

Background: Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental health disorder marked by persistent sadness, anhedonia, and various cognitive and physiological disruptions. While traditionally examined across general populations, recent research has turned attention to the mental health of sports and non-sports persons two demographically comparable groups with potentially contrasting lifestyle and psychological profiles. Sports participation is widely associated with protective benefits against depression through mechanisms like endorphin release, structured routines, goal-setting, and social support. However, emerging studies challenge this assumption by highlighting stressors such as performance pressure, injury, overtraining, and career uncertainty in athletes, suggesting nuanced mental health outcomes.
Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to compare depression proneness between sports and non-sports persons. It further explores the moderating influence of age, gender, and type of sports involvement (individual vs team sports) on this relationship.
Methodology: A quantitative meta-analytic approach was employed. Systematic searches across PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were conducted using key terms like “depression,” “athletes,” “non-athletes,” and “mental health”.
Inclusion criteria included: Empirical peer-reviewed studies (2000-2025), use of standardized depression measures (e.g., BDI, CES-D), and sufficient data for effect size calculation.
Exclusion criteria encompassed: Qualitative-only research, reviews, and incomplete datasets.
Twenty empirical studies were selected, covering diverse demographic groups across geographical locations.
Results: Most studies affirm that athletes generally report lower depressive symptoms compared to non-athletes, suggesting a protective effect of sports participation. However, depression remains prevalent among subgroups such as female athletes, individual-sport participants, and those facing injuries or transitions. Non-sports persons consistently show higher depression levels, linked to sedentary lifestyles and social isolation.
Conclusion: The findings confirm that while physical activity reduces depression risk overall, its efficacy is moderated by gender, sport type, and life events. Thus, promoting structured physical activity alongside mental health literacy and tailored interventions is essential for both populations. Future studies should include longitudinal and culturally diverse samples to inform holistic well-being frameworks.