Does sport have a protective effect against suicide?
OBJECTIVE
The association between sporting activities, or lack there of, and suicidal behaviour has not yet been clarified. The objective of this study was to determine, if sports participation has an impact on risk for completed suicide.


METHODS
Axis I and Axis II disorders, sociodemographic factors, and current and former sports activities, including various sports disciplines, were assessed by a semi-structured interview by psychological autopsy method in 163 suicides and by personal interview in 396 living population-based control persons.


RESULTS
Current sports activities (OR = 0.24, 95%CI, 0.15 to 0.39; OR = 0.27, 95%CI, 0.16 to 0.45) and sports activities at some point in life (OR = 0.33, 95%CI, 0.18 to 0.62; OR = 0.40, 95%CI, 0.23 to 0.68, after adjustment for axis I and II disorders or educational level, each) were associated with decreased suicide risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Current sports activities and sports activities at some point in life may reduce suicide risk.
Müller
Bettina
B
Centre of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Georgi
Klaus
K
Schnabel
Axel
A
Schneider
Barbara
B
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013177:Sports; D000092864:Suicide Prevention