Impact of Covid-19 on the Physical Activity and Well-Being of Hungarian Athletes and Sports Professionals

Abstract

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. Literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on regular activities and lifestyles in Hungary in the second quarter of 2020. In this study, we identify the physical activity and mental well-being changes in the Hungarian sport sector. Material and methods. A questionnaire, which included internationally validated items, was created to survey members of the sporting sector in Hungary. In June 2020, we obtained 840 valid responses, the age and gender profile of which were closely representative of the overall population. The results were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic changed significantly (p<0.001) in the Hungarian sport sector, decreasing by 166±1128 minutes (mean±SD) per week, on average. Women (-286±980 weekly minutes) and children's (-304±951 weekly minutes) physical activity decreased the most, whereas that of middle-aged (-83±1024 weekly minutes) and graduates (-99±982 weekly minutes) decreased the least. Greater well-being was felt during the pandemic by those who were either more physically active, or could even increase their physical activity. Conclusions. Even in the sport sector, the more physically active people are, the greater their well-being. Therefore, promotion of physical activity becomes even more important in challenging times.

Examination of Physical Activity and Subjective Well-Being Before and During the First Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic Amongst the Hungarian Sportsmen and Professionals in the Sports Sector

“…In the analysis of the quality of life variables, no significant gender differences were found in the well-being index across sectors based on the self-reported well-being of the respondents. In the study of Szabó et al, athletes and sports sector workers rated their wellbeing index with an average score of 8.41±3.24 [9], which was higher than the representative mean score of 7.67 for Hungarian residents in the study of Ács et al In our study, men with multiple roles rated their well-being with the highest score (8.89), followed by elite male athletes (8.78). Kovács' study suggests that an athlete or a person with a sporting background has higher adaptability and tolerance due to playing sport, as the personality traits of an athlete Health Problems of Civilization ISSN: 2353-6942; eISSN: 2354-0265 make it easier to overcome difficulties [26].…”

“…Ráthonyi's study found that adult workers had decreased physical activity levels and increased sedentary time during lockdowns [12]. Szabó and colleagues also came to a similar conclusion for sportspeople [9]. McCarthy and colleagues found a correlation between physical inactivity and lockdowns [11].…”

“…For athletes, the closures resulted in a significant loss of prospects, with a reduction in fitness of up to 10% after 1 week of inactivity [8]. We wondered whether the sports community could maintain this level of pre-quarantine exercise habits with alternative solutions in this unusual situation, as some authors have found associations between physical activity decline, curfew restriction and the lockdown period [9][10][11]. Ráthonyi's study found that adult workers had decreased physical activity levels and increased sedentary time during lockdowns [12].…”

The Role of Sports in the Subjective Psychological Well-Being of Hungarian Adult Population in Three Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic have strengthened the evidence of the positive impact of physical activity on subjective psychological well-being in the significantly changed psychosocial and environmental conditions as well. The subjective psychological well-being of the inactive population and groups with low physical activity was, on average, more unfavorable than those with higher physical activity [15,52,66,72]. According to these studies, the decrease in physical activity impacts subjective psychological well-being negatively and it is independent of the individual's fitness level [15].…”

“…The restrictions and lockdowns imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic decreased the opportunities for physical activities and had a negative impact on the sports sector. Several authors have argued about the changes in physical activity, or the impact on the sports industry [63][64][65][66][67]. Some studies, which covered more continents, have concluded that, in the first two phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical activity of the population decreased almost everywhere and sitting activities increased [64,68].…”