The developing domain of mental health in sports has gained much interest, acknowledging its pivotal role in athlete performance and well-being. The aim of this research is to provide a quantitative description concerning the levels of mental health, physical activity, cognitive fusion, cognitive flexibility, and coping strategies that characterize rugby athletes by using a data-driven approach. A total of 92 rugby athletes took part in this study and filled out a set of self-administered questionnaires. A correlational analysis showed that general well-being was positively associated with years spent playing rugby (r = 0.23) and coping mechanisms (r = 0.29). Athletes’ well-being was also negatively correlated with cognitive inflexibility (r = −0.41) and cognitive fusion (r = −0.39). A k-means cluster analysis identified two unique groups: group 1, characterized by higher levels of psychological well-being, lower levels of physical activity, greater cognitive flexibility, improved coping techniques, and reduced cognitive fusion, and group 2, which exhibits opposite characteristics. The discrepancies observed in psychological characteristics such as coping strategies, cognitive fusion, and cognitive inflexibility highlight their potential impact on the general health of rugby players. To comprehend the complex interplay between psychological and physical elements in rugby athletes, long-term studies with larger samples are crucial.

The use of dietary supplements is widespread among athletes and physically active individuals, yet their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the associations between supplement use, physical activity patterns, and HRQoL in a heterogeneous sample of 537 adults engaged in sports at amateur, professional, or recreational levels. Participants completed an online survey assessing demographics, supplement use, physical activity habits, and quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and independent-samples t-tests to explore relationships between supplement use, body mass index (BMI), motivational variables, and HRQoL outcomes. Results indicated that 46.7% of participants reported consuming at least one supplement or substance, with an average of 1.91 products. The primary motivations included performance enhancement (30.7%) and combined performance and aesthetic goals (12.1%). A significant association emerged between supplement use and the consistency of physical activity over time, as well as the individual’s motivation for engaging in exercise. Participants who maintained stable activity levels and those driven by performance or competitive motives were more likely to use supplements. In contrast, individuals exercising primarily for physical and psychological health were less likely to report supplement use. When comparing HRQoL scores, supplement users showed significantly lower levels of impairment due to emotional issues (RE), social functioning (SF), and bodily pain (BP). Among these variables, only Bodily Pain presented a small effect size, suggesting a meaningful difference between users and non-users. These findings highlight that while supplements are commonly used in athletic contexts, their association with improved quality of life is limited, and may even reflect attempts to manage physical discomfort. Further research is needed to clarify the directionality of these relationships and inform safe and evidence-based consumption.

Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder (SPD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by repetitive skin picking, often affecting areas like the face, arms, and hands. It has its own diagnostic classification in ICD-10, DSM-5-TR and PDM-2. Individuals with SPD may use various tools to pick at their skin and often struggle to stop the behavior. The disorder typically arises during adolescence and is more common in females, with a lifetime prevalence of 1.4% in adults. SPD is associated with decreased quality of life and increased rates of anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse. Validated assessment tools are essential for diagnosing and monitoring SPD symptoms. The Skin Picking Scale (SPS), Skin Picking Scale-Revised (SPS-R), Skin Picking Impact Scale (SPIS), and Skin Picking Symptom Assessment Scale (SP-SAS) are commonly used instruments for evaluating the severity of SPD symptoms. While these tools have shown reliability and validity, there are limitations, including potential biases in self-reporting and the need for further validation in different populations and languages. Future research is needed to enhance the effectiveness of screening and assessment tools for SPD in clinical settings.

This study investigates dietary supplement use among rugby players and their general health, focusing on prevalence and underlying motivations. Involving 92 athletes, it examines the relationship between supplement usage, motivations, and health outcomes using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey and a 24-item ad hoc questionnaire. Findings reveal a high frequency of supplement usage, motivated by desires to enhance performance, appearance, and mood. Significant differences in health-related quality of life are found between users and non-users, particularly in mental health, social functioning, and emotional stability. Motivations like performance enhancement and body shape manipulation were linked to altered health perceptions, indicating the psychosocial impacts of supplementation. This study emphasizes the need to consider the holistic effects of supplements on athlete well-being, advocating for a balanced approach prioritizing both physical and mental health. It calls for increased awareness among athletes, coaches, and sports professionals about the potential risks and benefits of supplement use and the importance of informed decision-making. Additionally, it highlights the need for further research to understand the mechanisms of supplement use and its impact on athlete health, aiming to enhance sports science and promote overall athlete well-being in competitive environments.

Background/Objectives: The psychological well-being of athletes has garnered increasing interest due to its strong association with physical performance. While somatic indicators such as Body Mass Index (BMI) are routinely monitored in sports, the role of psychological resources—especially coping strategies—in shaping Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the influence of psychological and physical factors on HRQoL among amateur and professional athletes, controlling for sex, age, and BMI.Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted, involving 537 athletes (326 males, 211 females; mean age = 32.44, SD = 13.64), aged 18–76 years. Participants were recruited via online platforms and sports organizations and completed a battery of self-report questionnaires, including the SF-36 to assess HRQoL and the COPE-NVI-25 to evaluate coping strategies. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the relative contributions of demographic, anthropometric, and psychological variables to HRQoL.Results: Demographic variables and BMI explained a limited proportion of the variance in HRQoL. In contrast, coping strategies significantly contributed to HRQoL outcomes, accounting for up to 22.5% of the variance in the global SF-36 score. Positive attitude and social support were associated with better physical and mental health, while avoidance strategies showed consistent negative associations across all HRQoL dimensions.Conclusion: Adaptive coping strategies, particularly positive attitude and social support, play a pivotal role in enhancing athletes’ HRQoL, surpassing the influence of BMI, sex, and age. These findings support the development of tailored psychological interventions to foster athlete wellbeing across competitive levels.

1. Competitive sport places athletes under psychological demands that go beyond the execution of physical and technical skills under pressure. Across training, competition, rehabilitation, and sele...