Objective: To investigate the impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physique classification and targeted, individualized nursing intervention on athletes' mental health in the context of sports.

Methods: From February 2018 to February 2019, we randomly assigned 154 athletes to two groups (n=77) for this study. The control group received standard sports-related nursing care, while the observation group received personalized nursing interventions based on their TCM physique constitution. We assessed various parameters, including mental health indicators and sports performance metrics, before and after the nursing intervention. The assessment included psychological well-being scores, performance metrics, and the incidence of any adverse effects.

Results: After the nursing intervention, athletes in the observation group showed significant improvements in psychological well-being, including lower levels of anxiety and depression (all P<0.05). Additionally, their sports performance metrics, including strength, endurance, and recovery, demonstrated remarkable enhancement compared to the control group (P<0.05). The overall quality of life scores for athletes in the observation group also showed significant improvements, particularly in physiological function, mental health, emotional function, and social function (P<0.05). In terms of adverse effects, the observation group experienced significantly fewer issues compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Utilizing TCM physique classification and tailored nursing interventions for athletes can lead to improved mental health outcomes, enhanced sports performance, and an overall better quality of life. This approach holds promise for optimizing athletes' well-being and performance and deserves further consideration and application in the realm of sports and athletes' mental health.