Sports: A Source of Strength and Healing in College?

As I ice my knees after an 18.5 mile training run this morning, the dopamine buzz cuts the pain in a way only long distance runners can appreciate. Crisp and clear, it was a picture-perfect morning on White Rock Lake in Dallas. A question popped in my head about mile 15 that I can’t shake. I know that not only in my own experience, but also in a long list of studies, exercise and strong social support groups prevent depression, often labeled as “protective factors.” My running pals work double duty in this regard. Most complex problems split open to laughter while pounding out miles. So here’s the question. What happens when this sports-support system suddenly evaporates?

I experienced running group withdrawal in 2008 when I ripped out my ACL. New Year’s Day, Jackson Hole, hadn’t skied since my twenties, need I say more? On the stationary bike within a few days of surgery, I knew not only my knee’s recovery, but my mental health hinged on exercise. I pedaled with a vengeance. That solved the exercise portion, but what about the friends?

Luckily, my physical therapist, Sara Smith (now with Orthopedic PT Specialists in Dallas) understood depression. Her office encouraged interaction between patients, so a new rehab support group instantly emerged. Also friends dropped by, brought lunch and coddled me in a way that first embarrassed me, but eventually I relished. How often do we take the time to visit good friends anymore? Sometimes illness slows down time in a way that helps us appreciate our most important relationships.

I knew my situation lacked the permanent blackout of a major transition, so I powered through. But what happens when the switch is sudden, with no recourse, at a time of life when a person doesn’t yet understand the healing forces of friendship and exercise?

My two high school children, one male and one female, both athletes, both team sports players thrive because of their teams whether they are winning or losing. Winning feels better, but unless the team is routinely pummeled, my kids seem more healthy when playing sports. When in season, they exercise, have a built-in social schedule and are more organized with their time. Off season? They’re slugs.

Until this year, my son transitioned from a cardiovascular machine in soccer season, to a couch potato who lifted weights. He got cranky, impatient. A few times I begged him to run around the backyard, citing as evidence Ratey’s book Spark that exercise enhances brain performance or Dr. Maduhkar Trivedi’s research that shows a mere 150 minutes of exercise a week deters depression. These days he takes a soccer ball and pounds it against the wall for 30 minutes without my nagging. My daughter is a harder sell, but she plays three sports, so she’s active most of the year.

Hopefully by the time my children transition to college, my epistles about exercise and support systems will be fully lodged in their brains. My guess is they’ll join intramural teams or maybe they’ll find a running group of their own. I wonder how many students drop sports from high school to college, don’t exercise, lack a community of interest, and then get depressed. I’ve searched for studies on this, but haven’t found any. A number of studies show retired college athletes are less depressed than their active college athlete peers, but the stress of competitive college athletics is another research topic altogether. My hypothesis would be that collegiate intramural team sports greatly deter depression, but few high school students transitioning to college would appreciate the hidden benefits that sports bring.

Something that might be dismissed as “fun,” may have serious benefits not only at deterring depression, but also improving academic performance, sleep, health and enhancing the college experience. Sometimes our allocation of time to improve academic performance undermines the brain-feeding qualities that fun and sports can offer.

One of the points in the upcoming race. Can't wait!

Ice time is over. Time to stretch my legs. Headed to run the Big Sur 21-mile race on April 28 (the full marathon was full by the time I registered – thank God!). I ran my first two marathons after ACL surgery, London in 2009 and Dallas in 2010. Two of my running buddies convinced me I had one more long run in my aging legs. We’ll see. If not, I’ll walk and enjoy the view. Wish me luck!

For more information about Julie K Hersh or speaking engagements, check out her Struck by Living website.