The positive effects of team sports on college students’ mental health

Abstract Background With increasing pressure in modern society, the mental health of university students has received growing attention. Team sports, as an effective form of physical activity, not only help improve physical health but may also have a positive impact on mental well-being. Existing research indicates that sports can help alleviate psychological stress and anxiety among university students by promoting physical health and improving emotional state. However, the specific mechanisms and effects of team sports on university students’ mental health remain unclear, especially in the area of mental health therapy. Therefore, this study aims to explore the positive effects of team sports on university students’ mental health and provide data support, hoping to offer new insights for mental health intervention among university students. Methods This study selected 300 college students from three universities, dividing them into a sports group (n = 150) and a control group (n = 150). The sports group participated in a 12-week team sports program, including twice-weekly, 60-minute structured team activities (such as basketball and volleyball), supervised by professional coaches. The control group maintained their daily activities without any structured sports intervention. Standardized mental health scales were used for assessment, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a mental resilience assessment. Furthermore, mental health assessment data before and after the sports program were compared using statistical analysis methods to analyze the impact of team sports on the mental health of college students. Results The results showed that the mental health of university students in the sports group significantly improved after participating in team sports. Specifically, the BDI score in the sports group decreased from an average of 15.4 ± 3.1 to 8.2 ± 2.7, indicating a significant reduction in depression (p.01); the STAI score decreased from 30.1 ± 4.5 to 22.3 ± 4.0, indicating a reduction in anxiety (p.05). Furthermore, the psychological resilience score significantly increased from 40.5 ± 5.2 to 49.6 ± 4.8 (p.01). The control group showed no significant changes. The data indicate that team sports have a positive impact on the mental health of university students, particularly in alleviating anxiety and improving psychological resilience. Comprehensive analysis confirms that team sports have a positive effect on the mental health of university students. Discussion The research results indicate that team sports can effectively alleviate depression and anxiety among college students and improve their psychological resilience, which has a positive effect on their mental health. Through team activities, students not only gain physical exercise but also enhance emotional support through teamwork and social interaction, which contributes to improved mental health. Future research can further explore the differential effects of different types of team sports activities on mental health and investigate the biological mechanisms of exercise intervention on mental health using physiological indicators such as electroencephalograms (EEGs). Furthermore, team sports have significant potential for application in the field of mental health therapy, especially among students under high-pressure environments; future research could explore this as part of psychological interventions.