Identifying anxiety and sleep problems, associated factors and sex differences in endurance and ultra-endurance runners

Background:

Anxiety and sleep problems may negatively impact health and athletic performance.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey study in endurance (≥21.1–42.2 km) and ultra-endurance runners (≥42.2 km), screening for anxiety and sleep problems, assessing potential associated factors and sex differences. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, testing of group differences with the Kruskal-Wallis H-test, and Dunn’s post-hoc tests, allowing for Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, predictive techniques, and regression analysis.

Results:

A total of 601 runners participated (female n = 222; male n = 379; mean age 42.8 ± 10.1 years). Overall, 13.5% screened positive for anxiety (female 16.2% compared to men 11.9%; n.s.) and 28.8% for sleep problems (female 32.9% compared to men 26.4%; n.s.). Anxiety and sleep problems were observed significantly more often in half marathon runners (25.2%; (p  = 0.02), respectively) compared to marathon (9.8 and 28.4%) and ultramarathon distance runners (11.1 and 28.2%). No statistical differences were found between sexes and performance levels (elite versus non-elite). Associated factors for anxiety included sleep problems (  = 0.006), and distance category ( = 0.03). Associated factors for sleep problems included anxiety (  = 0.006), and injury-related absences ( = 0.001).

The study investigates anxiety and sleep problems in endurance runners, highlighting associated factors and sex differences.