sTUDENT ATHLETES

The Biopsychosocial Impact:

What’s Missing?

a critical gap in how we approach student-athlete well-being.

  • Athletes burn through vital nutrients at an accelerated rate. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, magnesium, and protein directly impact energy, mood, focus, and recovery. Without proper education, coaches don’t realize that mental exhaustion could be a nutrition problem, not just psychological stress.

  • Chronic sleep deprivation reduces cognitive function and increases emotional instability, yet student-athletes are expected to balance intense training, academics, and social pressures without proper recovery. Training coaches on sleep hygiene, circadian rhythms, and the physiological toll of sleep debt could help them adjust schedules and recognize early performance declines linked to exhaustion.

  • High academic expectations, the pressure to perform, and social competition create a perfect storm for anxiety and depression. Coaches who understand how cognitive overload affects stress hormones and neurotransmitter balance could intervene early before burnout turns into crisis.

  • If we focus only on detecting crisis-level distress but fail to change the conditions that lead to breakdowns, the problem will keep repeating—and athletes will continue suffering in silence until it’s too late. Training student, parents and coaches holistically, not just on recognizing warning signs, but on preventing them through education on biological, psychological, and social factors could be the missing piece.

  • Comprehensive Blood Panels

    • Iron & Ferritin Levels – Essential for oxygen transport and endurance.

    • Vitamin D – Supports bone health, muscle function, and immune response.

    • Magnesium & Electrolytes – Crucial for muscle recovery and hydration.

    • Cortisol & Stress Hormones – Measures adrenal function and chronic stress impact.

    • Inflammatory Markers (CRP, IL-6) – Helps assess recovery and injury risk.

    2. Exercise Stress Testing

    • Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) – Evaluates oxygen utilization and endurance.

    • Heart Rate Variability (recommended since covid) (HRV) Monitoring – Tracks autonomic nervous system balance and stress resilience.

    • Blood Pressure & ECG Response – Identifies cardiovascular risks during exertion.

    3. Metabolic & Genetic Testing

    • Metabolic Panel – Assesses glucose regulation and energy metabolism.

    • Genetic Testing for Nutrient Absorption – Identifies predispositions to deficiencies affecting performance.

THE RESEARCH

How Stress and Nutrient Deficiencies Affect the ACC

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a crucial role in emotional regulation, cognitive processing, and stress response. When biological stress is prolonged or nutrient supply is inadequate, the ACC can become dysregulated, increasing the risk of mental health issues.

Chronic Stress & Cortisol Overload

Prolonged stress leads to excessive cortisol production, which can impair ACC function, contributing to anxiety, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

sLEEP dISRUPTION & CIRCADIAN DYSREGUALTION

Poor sleep quality, often linked to low magnesium and vitamin D levels, can negatively impact ACC function, increasing emotional reactivity and cognitive fatigue.

Studies highlight the strong connection between nutrition and mental health, emphasizing that dietary interventions can improve ACC function and reduce stress-related disorders. Additionally, research suggests that mind-body interventions like mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dietary modifications can help regulate ACC activity and improve resilience.

InFLAMMATION & oXIDATIVE STRESS

Nutrient deficiencies, particularly in omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and antioxidants, can increase neuroinflammation, affecting ACC activity and emotional regulation.

nEURTRANSMITTER IMBALANCE

The ACC relies on dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate for optimal function. Deficiencies in B vitamins, zinc, and amino acids can disrupt neurotransmitter balance, leading to mood instability and impaired decision-making.