Injury Rates Remained Elevated in the Second National Football League Season After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Platt, Brooks N.; Abed, Varag; Khalily, Camille; Sullivan, Breanna; Skinner, Matthew; Jacobs, Cale A.; Johnson, Darren L.; Stone, Austin V.

doi:10.1016/j.asmr.2022.11.026

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Although this decrease was larger among Norwegian coaches (62% vs. 38% in Sweden), the considerable drop in communication frequency is concerning. Both elite and recreational athletes were shown to have reduced training load during the first wave of the pandemic (10,24,25), which together with the reduced communication frequency between athletes and coaches likely has contributed to the elevated injury rates reported in the seasons following the pandemic (11)(12)(13).…”

Section: Effects On Work Practices Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A large number of reports highlight the many negative effects of the pandemic on athletes, such as increased risk of injury fur to insufficient training stimuli (e.g., 7 , 8 ), poor nutrition, decreased motivation, and altered sleep patterns ( 10 ). Indeed, since the lifting of the restrictions, several research reports have shown higher injury rates amongst athletes than what was seen before the pandemic (e.g., 11 – 13 ). It is possible that cancelled seasons and competitions affected the employment of coaches, which, in turn contributed to these negative effects on the athletes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New insights from Norwegian and Swedish sports coaches' employment, practices, and beliefs during the first COVID-19 restriction period

Severin,

Skovereng,

Björklund

et al. 2023

Front. Sports Act. Living

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IntroductionThis study (i) examined Norwegian and Swedish sports coaches' employment, practices, and beliefs during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) compared these aspects between coaches in Norway and Sweden, two countries with clearly different movement restrictions strategies in this period.MethodsAn online survey was distributed to coaches via email and social media. The survey was open between June and August 2020. In total, 348 coaches responded, 141 from Norway, and 207 from Sweden.ResultsAmong responders, 2% had lost their job due to the pandemic, 17% had been furloughed, 28% worked from home office, and 39% worked as usual. Norwegian coaches were more likely to work from home (48% vs. 15%, p < .001), while Swedish coaches were more likely to work as usual (60% vs. 9%, p < .001). Coaches in both countries communicated less frequently with their athletes (p < .001) and had less in-person communication (p < .001) compared to pre-Covid levels. Larger declines existed among Norwegian coaches regarding communication frequency (p < .001) and in-person communication (p < .001). Video calls and phone calls usage increased (p < .001 and p = .009 respectively). We recorded low levels of concern among coaches about the effects of the pandemic on their relationship with their athletes. There were considerable levels of concern about athletes’ maintaining their motivation to train (Norway: 43.3%, Sweden: 50.7%), and low levels of concern about the coaches’ relationships with their athletes (Norway: 14.1%, Sweden: 17.8%).DiscussionOverall, this study showed the imposed movement restrictions had several negative consequences for the employment and work practices of sports coaches in Norway and Sweden. However, it also highlighted that coaches were able to adapt their work practices to the constraints and were able to maintain relationships with their athletes. The consequences raised in this paper can act as a guide during possible future lockdowns.

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