ZSG flagship ForFoundation project

Background: Developing low-cost and reliable tool for interventions among elite athletes with depression and anxiety symptoms is a crucial step toward combating the epidemic of depression and anxiety. Therefore, throughout this small-scale intervention program, we support the combination of psychological counseling and proper training observation as a dual approach to combating this epidemic. Methods: Elite athletes, on a rolling basis between the ages of 15-19 identified with elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms will be included in the study. Since the population is minimal, the aim is to recruit as many as possible. After qualification for the study, all subjects will meet during one-on-one sessions with the conditioning coach and psychologist. The responsible coach will vet a cohort to see quantitively whether a given athlete is not meeting the subjective potential. During four weeks in 2-week increments, adolescents will self-report primary outcome measures on PHQ-9 (depression), GAD-7 (anxiety), and AD scales; additional reports will be added as a follow-up two weeks after the intervention has ended. The intervention will last four weeks. Discussion: We predict that this intervention will answer a shortage of sports psychiatrists’ staffing and may reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in elite athletes with elevated anxiety/depression symptoms in Poland. Keywords: Depression, Adaptable Depression, Anxiety, Elite Athletes