Sci Med Footb. 2025 Nov 18:1-9. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2025.2589800. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between playing time and well-being in Danish under-17 elite level football players.
METHODS: Throughout the 2021/22 competitive playing season, the World Health Organization-5 index (WHO-5) was administered bi-weekly to assess well-being. Playing time was separately collected from an official database.
STATISTICS: A cross-lagged panel model with a multi-level set-up was applied.
RESULTS: Average response rate was 67 ± 14% (mean±SD) with a significant variation observed throughout the investigation period. Average prevalence of well-being levels below the WHO-5 cut-off values for depression and anxiety (≤13 points, with ≤7 indicating severe symptoms) was 10 ± 12%. At least once during the season, 55.4% of all players had well-being levels indicating potential mental health concerns. Also, temporal patterns in well-being were observed, with more players having levels closer to the cut-off value during pre-season than towards the end of the season. Cross-lagged effects were found between measures of playing time and well-being on the day after a match (MD + 1). This indicates a relationship between match involvement and psychological well-being.
SUMMARY AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Playing time seems to be associated with well-being in male youth elite football players. Frequent well-being monitoring and thoughtful playing time management in youth academy football may provide individualized player support throughout the playing season and proactively safeguard mental health.
PMID:41250867 | DOI:10.1080/24733938.2025.2589800
