Abstract
BACKGROUND: Competing at a high level is challenging for athletes, both mentally and physically. Intense sport engagement is not always beneficial for health. This study investigates and compares self-esteem, wellbeing, and health status among athletes at different levels. In addition, it examines whether the type of sport (individual versus team) affects the self-esteem and wellbeing. METHODS: A quantitative, observational survey was conducted, involving 296 female participants aged 18-35 years divided into three groups based on their sport performance: high-performance athletes (41%), recreational athletes (27%), and individuals with no or lower levels of physical activity (32%). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale were used to measure self-esteem, wellbeing, and health status, respectively. RESULTS: High-performance athletes exhibited significantly higher self-esteem, wellbeing, and health status compared with individuals with no or lower levels of physical activity. Recreational athletes showed better wellbeing than individuals with no or lower levels of physical activity and had no significant differences from high-performance athletes in any parameter. Results were not affected by whether the sport was individual or team-based. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight that regular sport participation, whether at a recreational or high-performance level, provides substantial mental and physical health benefits, while individuals with no or lower levels of physical activity experience significantly lower levels of self-esteem, subjective wellbeing, and health. The findings of this study suggest that regular sport activity, regardless of competitive level, provides substantial benefits, underscoring the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle.