Rowing across the Atlantic in an all-female team: Impact on mental health and mood changes—a cohort study

ObjectivesTo examine the impact of rowing across the Atlantic on the mental health of an all-female crew.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included four female rowers (mean age, 32.3 ±4.3 years) who rowed 3000 miles across the Atlantic within 46 days. Validated mental health questionnaires were completed pre-race, during the race, and post-race to screen for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), and exercise addiction (Exercise Addiction Inventory) as well as examine personality traits (International Personality Item Pool-Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Openness-60) and mood states (Profile of Mood States-Short Form). Additionally, personal accounts were collected. Descriptive statistics, generalized estimating equations, and correlations were used for analysis.ResultsDescriptive analysis revealed positive screening results for anxiety pre-race and major depression post-race in one rower and exercise addiction in another rower. Mood states deteriorated during the race, with subscores for tension-anxiety increasing over time. Scores of neuroticism decreased over time. Personal accounts of the participants provided insights into the challenges faced during this arduous race.ConclusionThe results demonstrated the importance of mental health screening in our cohort. Mood states deteriorated during the race, with declining scores for personality traits of neuroticism, reflecting a reduction in negative emotions, which may have been beneficial in our specific team environment. Personal accounts demonstrated good team coherence despite challenging race and environmental conditions.