The wellbeing of athletes has always been at the centre of the debate at the IFSC. Athletes are most visible in moments of victory where feelings of joy and hope prevail, but they may also find themselves in need of mental health support. With the very rapid growth of the sport in the past few years, the Federation is mindful that elite athletes are people first, and that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.

It is with this understanding and knowledge that the IFSC Athletes' and Medical & Anti-Doping Commissions are supporting an important study focusing on mental health and burnout among professional climbers by the research team of the University of Bucharest and Babeș-Bolyai University.

The research titled "The Impact of Stressors on Athletic Performance and Burnout: Exploring the Mediating Role of Affect, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Personality, and Emotion Regulation in Professional Sport Climbers" aims to raise awareness about the intricate relationship between mental wellbeing and athletic performance in Climbing, and is a response to a need expressed by athlete Ievgeniia Kazbekova from the IFSC Athletes' Commission.

"As professional athletes, we face unique stressors – ranging from performance pressure to dealing with failure,” said Kazbekova. “This questionnaire is the first step in a project that we hope will come to life with the support of the IFSC. I personally invite all the athletes to dedicate some of their time to make a difference, so we can create a positive change for future generations and build a healthier relationship with professional sport."

This study is being conducted by PhD student Zsófia Németi-Fehér, under the supervision of Professor Andrei Ion, PhD, from the University of Bucharest, and IFSC Medical & Anti-doping Commission member Maria Stefania Ionel, PhD, from Babes-Bolyai University.

As a sporting community, it is important to create a supportive environment for athletes’ mental wellbeing and mental health. This research study is another step the IFSC is taking in that journey.

IFSC President Marco Scolaris said: “I would like to thank all the athletes who are participating in the survey. We strongly believe that athletes’ mental health and wellness should be a priority for all our stakeholders.”