Funkerstation » timated and should be a su

LONDON -- One in four professional footballers said they suffer symptoms of anxiety and depression in a new study into the sports largely unexplored "dark side" of mental illness. The mental health of recently retired professional footballers was even more worrisome, with one in three reporting signs of anxiety and depression. Some 300 current and former professionals -- from the Netherlands, Major League Soccer, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand -- took part in the study for the players union, FIFPro. While football can draw on reams of scientific study about players physical injuries, little research has previously been done into their mental health, and mental health problems have remained very much taboo in the sport, FIFPro chief medical officer Vincent Gouttebarge said. "There is definitely some dark side of professional football," he said in an interview. "We dont talk about mental health issues in football, or we didnt talk about this issue," he added. "Its quite a macho culture so people do not talk about it." Gouttebarge said the studys findings suggest that professional footballers are no less prone to mental illness than other younger people in the general population. He said that might surprise fans who believe footballers live comfortable, worry-free lives, with media attention often focusing on the wealth of the most successful players. "Contrary to what people think, professional footballers experience psychological problems just like other groups in the population," Gouttebarge said. Among the 180 active footballers who responded to the lengthy questionnaire, 10 per cent reported symptoms of distress, five per cent reported signs of burnout and three per cent said they suffered from low self-esteem. Nearly 20 per cent reported problems with alcohol, which Gouttebarge said could include binge drinking and regularly drinking too much, and seven per cent said they smoked. The 121 former professionals who responded on average had 12-year playing careers and have been retired for five years. Fifteen per cent showed signs of burnout and 18 per cent signs of distress. One in three reported drinking problems, 12 per cent smoked, and 39 per cent reported suffering from depression and anxiety. Gouttebarge said that could include worrying, mood swings, difficulties sleeping, feeling stressed, not being sociable or a combination of symptoms. "Mental illness seems to occur among former professional footballers more often than in current players, and more often than in other populations. Consequently, mental illness among former professional footballers cannot be underestimated and should be a subject of interest for all stakeholders in football," the study said. Retirement was "really a critical period," with players abruptly losing the structure of regular training and the support of being in a club, Gouttebarge said. "You have to find a new life," he said. "It can put you under a lot of stress." Long-term injuries and surgeries that take players out of the game and away from close, regular contact with teammates can also be factors in mental health problems. Being forced to stop playing professionally because of injury or because clubs wont offer another contract can be particularly hard to cope with, Gouttebarge noted. "This has been recognized in other sports as a huge cause of mental health issues," he said. "The guy who is willing to retire or to stop his career is really (in) a different kind of situation to the one who is forced to retire." He called the study "a good first step" toward identifying the scope of mental health issues in football. The survey is expanding to players in France and from French-speaking nations in Africa, with plans to also study players in Spanish-speaking countries and Japan, Gouttebarge said. Dallas Goedert Eagles Jersey . Pironkova, who was ranked outside the top 100 despite reaching the Wimbledon semifinals in 2010, beat three top 10 players in Sydney, 2012 French Open finalist Sara Errani, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Kerber. Clayton Thorson Jersey . GQ Lundqvist quite well.Three rounds, and nearly two months later, will the Kings have the strength to reach the summit of the Empire State to claim the cup?Truer words have never been spoken. https://www.eaglessportsgoods.com/Womens...erted-Jersey/.Y. -- The New York Islanders were seeking a positive finish to a frustrating season on home ice. Jerome Brown Youth Jersey . Switzerland faces Belgium or Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals in April. Serbia dropped into the World Group playoffs in September. A confident Chiudinelli and Lammer defeated veteran doubles player Zimonjic and young Krajinovic 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2. Brian Westbrook Youth Jersey . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. GLASGOW -- Chantal Petitclerc has watched the Maple Leaf go up to the sounds of O Canada countless times over her illustrious 20-year career as a wheelchair racer. Monday afternoon, she wore the smile of a proud parent when the Canadian team marched in for the traditional flag-raising ceremony at the Commonwealth Games athletes village. "Its really an amazing experience being here, watching the athletes getting ready," Petitclerc said. "Ive been retired six years now, so its enough distance to actually know what its like, but not wanting to be there myself because Ive done it, but really wishing the best for all of them." The 44-year-old, who won 21 Paralympic medals including 14 gold, is Canadas chef de mission in Glasgow. She led some 100 Canadian athletes plus coaches and staff members into Mondays welcome ceremony. "Its a very new feeling for me, because as you know athletes can be very egocentric. So after 20 years of thinking about myself and my own performance, it is a great feeling caring and wanting the best for all the other athletes," Petitclerc said. Canada is fielding a team of 265 athletes for the Games, and those in attendance Monday, decked out in their white and red Canada T-shirts and white track pants, were all smiles as the Canadian flag was raised and O Canada played. Bal Gosal, Canadas sports minister, greeted the athletes with a handshake. The festive ceremony on a sun-drenched afternoon featured a performance by young singers and dancers, some with fiddles and guitars. Susan Nattrass, a veteran of six Olympics and now five Commonwealth Games, will carry Canadas flag into Wednesdays opening ceremonies. She took the opportunity to mingle with her teammates. "Its such an honour and you want to be very appreciative. And then you also really encourage everyone to enjoy it," Nattrass said. "Its fun. I was talking to the (lawn) bowlers today. And the rugby guys. Its really fun and its really interesting to see and meet with people and hear of their experiences." The athletes village, which sits in the shadow of Celtic Park -- normally home to Celtic FC soccer club and the venue for Wednesdays opening ceremonies -- was abuzz with athletes milling about at the nearby shopping area and hair and nail salon. "Were really excited. The village has been great -- feels like youre at hhome," said Kate Gillis, captain of Canadas womens field hockey team.dddddddddddd The positive vibe was a departure from four years ago when organizers were still rushing to finish the athletes village -- amid complaints of unsanitary conditions -- and sports venues at the Games in New Delhi. An outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal illness, made headlines in Glasgow last week after 53 employees at the athletes village fell ill. But Glasgow officials said the virus was under control, and shut down a temporary toilet facility that was identified as the likely source of the bug. Preparation for Glasgow has been otherwise smooth sailing. There have been no grumblings about venue construction, tickets are sold out for many events, and the athletes have raved about the athletes village. The only minor concern has been about the weather in a country known almost as much for its soggy conditions as its Scotch and its shortbread. But there was no rain in sight Monday as temperatures reached 22 C. And the forecast is even brighter, calling for sunny skies and temperatures that could soar as 26 this week. The Games feature some 4,500 athletes competing in 17 sports over 11 days. Its the only fully integrated major Games, with 22 Paralympic events in five sports. Petitclerc, who carried Canadas flag into the opening ceremonies at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia, won gold over 800 metres at the 2002 Games -- when Paralympic sports were given official status -- and then again in 2006. The welcome ceremony, she said, represented the "last countdown" before the athletes competitions begin. "So every athlete is really trying to focus on their event and getting a little bit of butterflies, so its a very important moment," she said. "At this point, physically, theres not much they can do except for resting, so it becomes a mental situation where youre really trying to find that good place in your head and just be good. "Thats how the village and the team is important because it can provide a home away from home." The Canadian teams goal is to reclaim its traditional spot among the top three in the medal table after finishing fourth four years ago in New Delhi behind Australia, England and host India. Canada claimed 76 total medals in 2010, including 26 gold, 17 silver and 33 bronze. ' ' '