Effects of the lockdown period on the mental health of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

Pellino, Vittoria Carnevale; Lovecchio, Nicola; Puci, Mariangela Valentina; Marin, Luca; Gatti, Alessandro; Pirazzi, Agnese; Negri, Francesca; Ferraro, Ottavia Eleonora; Vandoni, Matteo

doi:10.1007/s11332-022-00964-7

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Interestingly, younger athletes and those involved in individual sports often increased their sporting activities during the lockdown, thereby improving their fitness levels compared with those who were less active or inactive [ 2 , 3 , 8 , 21 , 22 ]. Other studies indicate that older athletes (over 55 years) and team sports athletes encountered more difficulties in maintaining regular sporting activities during and after the lockdown [ 4 , 19 , 23 ]. For older athletes [ 24 ], this could be due to the less accessible online resources provided by gyms or sports facilities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of the SARS-COVID-19 Lockdowns on the Subjectively Perceived Performance Level of Amateur Athletes after Returning to the Gyms

Bernstorff,

Schumann,

Cibura

et al. 2024

JFMK

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Since December 2019, few issues have garnered as much global attention as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-19). The imposed lockdowns in 2020/21, which led to the closure of all gyms, barred people from participating in their favourite sports activities. This study explores athletes’ self-evaluations of their performance levels upon return to training facilities post-reopening. Data were collected in May 2021, after the end of the second lockdown, using a national online questionnaire. The study recorded 20 demographic and training-specific parameters to discern the factors influencing self-perceived performance upon resuming gym activities after the 2020/2021 lockdown. A total of 1378 respondents participated in the study. Of the total number of participants, 27.5% (365) reported regaining 100% of their original performance level after reopening their studios, a proportion that comprised 212 males, 150 females, and 3 individuals of unspecified gender. Additionally, 35.7% (474) estimated their performance level to be up to 75%, followed by 30% (398) recording their performance level at 50%, and a minority of 6.8% (90) determining their performance level to be up to 25%. Exercise intensity prior to lockdown, training experience, sex, and concurrent practice of another sport significantly influenced the athletes’ self-assessment of their current fitness levels (p > 0.001, p > 0.001, p > 0.001, and 0.006, respectively). We need to understand the factors that shape self-perception, especially in case of another lockdown, in order to provide preventive assistance concerning mental and physical well-being. Positive influences on self-perception include prior athletic experience, intensive training before the lockdown, and continued participation in sports throughout the lockdown. Younger age is also favourable, but this may not necessarily reflect the benefits of youth; rather, it could indicate the current lack of accessible online sports activities for older individuals. Women, however, might have a less favourable perception of their own athletic performance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For many, sport is a fundamental aspect of life, acting as a vital link between body and mind. It not only helps sustain physical and mental well-being but also reinforces socio-communal bonds [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of the SARS-COVID-19 Lockdowns on the Subjectively Perceived Performance Level of Amateur Athletes after Returning to the Gyms

Bernstorff,

Schumann,

Cibura

et al. 2024

JFMK

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, it must be noted that since the COVID-19 lockdown started, some of these results could have changed. As was found in the general population, many studies described an increased prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress as a result of the pandemic on athlete populations [ 20 , 21 ]. Despite these rates being lower than expected and some studies pointing out the capacity of the athletes to deal with stress and adverse events [ 20 ], it has also been found that athletes with high athletic identity could experience higher levels of anxiety and depression especially when they were unable to participate in their respective sports [ 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Health in First- and Second-Division Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Bonet,

Benito,

Usó

et al. 2024

Sports

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Background: The benefits of sport in mental health have been broadly studied. However, few studies have examined these outcomes in high-performance athletes. We aimed to analyze the state of the mental health of the Villarreal Soccer Club’s first- (FD) and second-division (SD) players and the possible mediating effects of sex and professional category. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with an initial sample of 108 soccer players (final sample n = 54). Data from MINI, HARS, HDRS, BARRAT-11 and SCSRQ questionnaires were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 23.41 years (SD = 4.56) and 61.1% (n = 33) were men. A proportion of 24.1% (n = 13) stated that they had undergone mental health treatment, 7.4% (n = 4) had taken psychotropic drugs, and 2.1% (n = 1) had made a suicide attempt. Differences were observed between the FD and SD players in terms of the sensitivity to punishment (t = −2.2; p = 0.033), overall impulsivity (t = −3.1; p = 0.003), unplanned impulsivity (t = 3.4; p = 0.001), and the HDRS (U = −110.5; p = 0.004), HARS-Total (U = −104.0; p = 0.006) and HARS-Psychological subscale scores (U = −104.0; p = 0.001). Differences were also observed between the female and male SD players for the HARS-Somatic subscale (U = 136.5; p = 0.028). Conclusion: The low values obtained in the clinical scales, together with the reported psychopathological histories, suggested that the Villareal players showed better mental health than the general population.

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“…Since the COVID-19 outbreak, several countries have imposed restrictions including the closure of sports centers, therefore many aspects of everyday routine have changed, and this influenced both physical and mental health in different populations ( Carnevale Pellino et al, 2022 ; Gatti et al, 2022 ; Hallal et al, 2012 ; Robinson et al, 2021 ; Tornaghi et al, 2021 ). Several studies showed a reduction in the PA level and increased unhealthy dietary habits, which increase fat mass accumulation and the risk to develop OB.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

International fitness scale (IFIS): association with motor performance in children with obesity

Puci,

Cavallo,

Gatti

et al. 2023

PeerJ

Self Cite

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Background Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health; and compared with their normal-weight peers, these individuals tend to have a lower level of self-confidence, and consequently lower physical activity adherence. Due to these self-perceived barriers, the aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of an online training program on self-reported physical fitness (SRPF) in children with obesity (OB). Methods A total of 32 children with OB carried out physical fitness (PF) tests and were asked to complete the International Fitness Enjoyment Scale (IFIS) questionnaire. The physical fitness tests were the Standing Broad Jump (SBJ), the 6-Min Walking Test (6MWT) and the 4 × 10 m sprint test. Children participated in a 3-weekly 60-min training session through Zoom platform. Before the beginning of the training protocol, OB children were compared with normal weight (NW) ones for PF batteries and the IFIS questionnaire. Changes in performances after the training were assessed by paired Student t and Wilcoxon tests. Results After the online training program children increased their performance in 6MWT (mean difference (MD) = 54.93; p < 0.0001) in SBJ (MD = 10.00; p = 0.0001) and in 4 × 10 m sprint test (MD = −0.78; p < 0.0001). No differences were found in children’s physical fitness perception. Discussion Our study highlighted how a structured online training program can lead to improvements in PF of children with OB. Instead, the lack of differences in SRPF after the training suggests interesting questions to be explored on the aspects linked to self-perception. Therefore, even if our training protocol could not directly improve SRPF in children with obesity, the enhancement of their PF could be a starting point for achieving this result with a longer training period and consequently improve PA participation for children with OB.

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Effects of the lockdown period on the mental health of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

Cited by 18 publications

References 58 publications

The Impact of the SARS-COVID-19 Lockdowns on the Subjectively Perceived Performance Level of Amateur Athletes after Returning to the Gyms

The Impact of the SARS-COVID-19 Lockdowns on the Subjectively Perceived Performance Level of Amateur Athletes after Returning to the Gyms

Mental Health in First- and Second-Division Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

International fitness scale (IFIS): association with motor performance in children with obesity

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