A Psychological Study of Health, Injury, and Performance in Athletes on the US Alpine Ski Team

In brief: We assessed life events, depression, and general well-being (health concerns, energy, life satisfaction, cheerfulness, tension, and emotional control) in 73 members of the US Alpine Ski Team. We compared these psychological factors with subsequent surveys of general health, illness, and athletic performance and found that psychological status (especially general well-being) was associated with subsequent health problems, injuries, and performance levels. These findings indicate that coaches and sports medicine specialists must be sensitive to psychological disorders in elite athletes and provide appropriate clinical assessment and treatment.