Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Date of Submission

2025-07-31

Advisor

Aliya Iqbal Naqvi

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Gut-Brain Axis, Student-Athletes, Anxiety, Diet, Pakistan

Abstract

This project is a phenomenological study aimed at understanding the lived experiences of undergraduate student-athletes regarding the role that the gut-brain axis plays in anxiety management. The dual lifestyle of student-athletes – balancing demanding academics with rigorous physical training routines – can create compounded stress. Yet, it is essential for them to find ways to manage this stress, to succeed in both academics and sport, and to make lifestyle choices that support their well-being. This thesis explores how student-athletes cope, and whether they consider making dietary changes to improve their gut health, with a view to improving their mental health.

The nutritional impact on mental health remains an under-discovered topic in the realm of institutional and familial settings. This study fills a significant gap in literature, particularly within the South Asian context. The living arrangements of students are also explored. A comparison is made between students who reside at the hostel with students who live at home with their families.

This study asks two main questions. How do student-athletes understand the gut-brain axis, and what are their attitudes towards its role in managing anxiety? And how do living environments, such as hostel versus living at home, shape their beliefs, food choices, and coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety?

The gut–brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. This research project builds on this framework and further investigates whether student-athletes understand and act upon this link in practice. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten student athletes who met a mild to severe level of anxiety on the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. GAD-7 was administered

to the participants as a screening tool to understand the severity of their anxiety levels and to get a baseline understanding of how student-athletes with symptoms of anxiety navigate through their life. The findings reported a significant institutional neglect. However, for some, the interview itself prompted newfound awareness. Students realized that dietary changes could serve as a practical coping strategy when training is not possible, a perspective they had not previously considered. This is reflective of the untapped potential for integrating gut–brain axis education into athletic programs to help student-athletes make more informed lifestyle choices.

Pages

74

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