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Centorbi M, Di Martino G, della Valle C, Iuliano E, Di Claudio G, Mascioli A, Calcagno G, di Cagno A, Buonsenso A, Fiorilli G. Regular Physical Activity Can Counteract LONG COVID Symptoms in Adults over 40. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2024; 9:119. [PMID: 39051280 PMCID: PMC11270337 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9030119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Three years after the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic, a chronic post-COVID syndrome "LONG COVID" persists, causing fatigue and shortness of breath, along with distress, anxiety, and depression. AIM To assess the impact of physical activity on the management and rehabilitation of LONG COVID, as well as to investigate the persistence of LONG COVID symptomatology in individuals over 40 years, beyond the pandemic. METHODS A total of 1004 participants (aged 53.45 ± 11.35) were recruited through an online snowball sampling strategy to complete a web-based survey. The following questionnaires were administered: Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE), Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), and Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC). RESULTS Significant gender differences were discovered, with women reporting higher symptoms than men (p < 0.001). Significant age differences were also found, with participants under 55 showing higher values than those over 55 (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between aerobic and mixed physical activity (p > 0.05) while significant results emerged between physical activity groups and the no activity group (p < 0.001). The low-frequency group reported higher symptoms than the high-frequency group (all ps < 0.001). CONCLUSION Regardless of the type of physical activity performed, our survey identified the frequency of training as a crucial factor to overcome LONG COVID symptoms; the challenge lies in overcoming the difficulties due to the persistent feelings of inefficiency and fatigue typical of those who have contracted the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Centorbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Giulia Di Martino
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Carlo della Valle
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Enzo Iuliano
- Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy;
| | - Gloria Di Claudio
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Amelia Mascioli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Calcagno
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessandra di Cagno
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Via Plinio 44, 00193 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Buonsenso
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Giovanni Fiorilli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (M.C.); (G.D.M.); (G.D.C.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (A.B.); (G.F.)
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Chahin-Inostroza N, Bracho-Milic F, Velasco-Bahamonde E, Navarrete-Hidalgo C, Serón P. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1302023. [PMID: 38529409 PMCID: PMC10961421 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1302023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic was a health problem which affected the entire world. Sports were strongly affected, especially outdoors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on training and technology use among Chilean amateur athletes. Method An observational descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out during the 2021-2. Nonprobabilistic convenience sample of people over 18 years. Data were obtained via online survey and analyzed with Stata 16.0 statistical program for runners, triathletes, cyclists. Results The sample was 179 athletes, average age was 42.5 years ±10.2; males were 58.6%. 22.65% of the sample were triathletes, 58% runners, and 18.2% cyclists. Training habits were measured during Pre-Pandemic (PP), Pandemic With Quarantine (PWQ), and Pandemic Without Quarantine (PWOQ). In total sample, a decrease was observed in variables of average training frequency of 1.28 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.648); weekly average training time of 189.63 min (p = 0.005; d = 0.293); days per week with high and medium intensity training of 0.95 (p = 0.001; d = 0.833) and 0.37 (p = 0.001; d = 0.327) respectively; and days per week with cardio training of 1.01 (p = 0.001; d = 0.678), comparing the PP and PWQ periods. When comparing PWQ and PWOQ, an increase was observed in the same variables mentioned above of 1,57 sessions per week (p = 0.001; d = 0.513); 162.68 min per week (p = 0.020; d = -0.245); days per week with high of 0.82 (p = 0.001; d = -0.714) and medium intensity training of 0.46 (p = 0.001; d = -0.412); days per week with cardio training of 1.14 (p = 0.001; d = -0.730); and included strength training of 0.42 (p = 0.012; d = -0.312). For technology incorporation, over 78% (p = 0.023) claimed to used devices to measure training, with the watch being the preferred device in over 72% (p = 0.002) during the three timeframes. Highlighted the rise in use of training software during and after the lockdown period of more than 23% (p < 0.001). Discussion All variables related with training habits decreased comparing PP and PWQ and all variables rose between PWQ and PWOQ; however, comparing PP and PWOQ, there are small differences, which do not always favor the PWOQ, reflecting how athletes have not yet been able to recover their training rhythms. Finally, we should note that the use of technology increased, in all periods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fanny Bracho-Milic
- Medical and Health Sciences Department, Universidad Mayor, Temuco, Chile
| | | | | | - Pamela Serón
- Medical School, Centro de Excelencia CIGES, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- Medical School, Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
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Shukla A, Dogra DK, Bhattacharya D, Gulia S, Sharma R. Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the mental health in sports: a review. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37360974 PMCID: PMC10116474 DOI: 10.1007/s11332-023-01063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Global pandemic, lockdown restrictions, and COVID-19 compulsory social isolation guidelines have raised unprecedented mental health in the sports community. The COVID-19 pandemic is found to affect the mental health of the population. In critical situations, health authorities and sports communities must identify their priorities and make plans to maintain athletes' health and athletic activities. Several aspects play an important role in prioritization and strategic planning, e.g., physical and mental health, distribution of resources, and short to long-term environmental considerations. To identify the psychological health of sportspeople and athletes due to the outbreak of COVID-19 has been reviewed in this research. This review article also analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on health mental in databases. The COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine would have a serious negative impact on the mental health of athletes. From the accessible sources, 80 research articles were selected and examined for this purpose such as Research Gate, PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer, Scopus, and Web of Science and based on the involvement for this study 14 research articles were accessed. This research has an intention on mental health issues in athletes due to the Pandemic. This report outlines the mental, emotional and behavioural consequences of COVID-19 home confinement. Further, research literature reported that due to the lack of required training, physical activity, practice sessions, and collaboration with teammates and coaching staff are the prime causes of mental health issues in athletes. The discussions also reviewed several pieces of literature which examined the impacts on sports and athletes, impacts on various countries, fundamental issues of mental health and the diagnosis for the sports person and athletes, and the afterlife of the COVID-19 pandemic for them. Because of the compulsory restrictions and guidelines of this COVID-19 eruption, the athletes of different sports and geographical regions are suffering from fewer psychological issues which were identified in this paper. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to negatively affect the mental health of the athletes with the prevalence and levels of anxiety and stress increasing, and depression symptoms remaining unaltered. Addressing and mitigating the negative effect of COVID-19 on the mental health of this population identified from this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Shukla
- Department of Physical Education, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP India
| | - Deepak Kumar Dogra
- Department of Physical Education, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP India
| | - Debraj Bhattacharya
- Department of Physical Education, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP India
| | - Satish Gulia
- Department of Physical Education, Janta Degree College, Patla, Ghaziabad, UP India
| | - Rekha Sharma
- Department of Physical Education, Hindu Girls College, MDU, Sonipat, Haryana India
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Relationship between the Engel Coefficient, Life Satisfaction, and Subjective Health for Senior Citizens in Korea: Moderating Effect of COVID-19. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 13:bs13010022. [PMID: 36661594 PMCID: PMC9855036 DOI: 10.3390/bs13010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants of life satisfaction for Korean senior citizens. Subjective health and the Engel coefficient were used as the explanatory variables. This research also aimed to examine the moderating effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the relationship between the Engel coefficient and life satisfaction for Korean senior citizens. Archival data (Korean longitudinal study of aging) were used for this work. The study period is 2018 and 2020; the number of observations was 3879. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the research hypotheses. To examine further, this research performed additional analyses: sub-sample analysis, median split, and independence tests. The results indicated that the Engel coefficient is negatively associated with life satisfaction, while subjective health is positively related to life satisfaction. Moreover, Korean senior citizens' life satisfaction was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research provides information for building policy for senior Korean citizens.
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Buonsenso A, Murri A, Centorbi M, Di Martino G, Calcagno G, di Cagno A, Fiorilli G, Iuliano E. Psychological Wellbeing and Perceived Fatigue in Competitive Athletes after SARS-CoV-2 Infection 2 Years after Pandemic Start: Practical Indications. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2022; 8:jfmk8010001. [PMID: 36648893 PMCID: PMC9844459 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk8010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected sports and athletes, influencing performance and psychological wellbeing. In order to provide useful guidelines for coaches, a web-based survey was conducted. Three web-based questionnaires were administered during the last phase of the Omicron wave to a total of 204 Italian athletes (age 24.96 ± 9.82): an informative questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and infection symptoms information, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). No differences between infection sequels of different variant typologies were found over the long term after the infection. The most frequently declared symptoms included cough (50%), muscular skeletal impairments (48%) fatigue (43%) and fever (43%). Results showed that female athletes have a higher risk of developing post-COVID-19 symptoms, GHQ-12 worse results (p = 0.005) and greater fatigue (p = 0.0002) than males. No significant difference in infection incidence between high- and low-level athletes was found. Endurance athletes showed greater perceived fatigue than anaerobic sports athletes (p = 0.045). Conclusions: These results suggested the need for specific approaches and continuous updating to differentiate training programs for different athletes during the return to play. Medical controls and daily monitoring of athletes of all levels after the infection could be advisable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Buonsenso
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, v. De Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Arianna Murri
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Lauro de Bosis Square 15, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Centorbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, v. De Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Martino
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, v. De Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calcagno
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, v. De Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Alessandra di Cagno
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Lauro de Bosis Square 15, 00197 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3343176709
| | - Giovanni Fiorilli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, v. De Sanctis 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Enzo Iuliano
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
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Gallè F, Protano C, Zaccarin M, Zanni S, Valeriani F, Liguori G, Romano Spica V, Vitali M. Swimming at the Time of COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study among Young Italian Competitive Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13236. [PMID: 36293816 PMCID: PMC9603593 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several restriction measures were imposed to control the virus transmission, with important repercussions on different sectors, including sport. This study aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian competitive swimmers by analyzing how the disease and the restriction measures affected their training. In total, 396 competitive swimmers (mean age 16.0 ± 3.2 years) participated. A questionnaire was used to collect their general information, to assess whether they had had COVID-19 and the number of training days lost due to the disease or to the closure of swimming facilities, and the possible alternative training adopted. Twenty-four (6.1%) participants had had COVID-19 and lost, on average, 32 training days. The closure of facilities caused an interruption in swimming training for about 18% of the participants. The majority of these continued their training, mainly through home-based exercise, but reduced their weekly training time (-8 median hours/week). A positive association was found between regularly adopted weekly training volume and that assumed during pandemic closure (OR 9.433, CI95% 1.644-54.137, p = 0.012), suggesting that the previous level of engagement in sport can represent a predictor of exercise maintenance in challenging situations such as a pandemic. Further studies are needed to identify personal, environmental, and social resources that can help individuals to counteract the negative effects of restriction measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gallè
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Zaccarin
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Zanni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Valeriani
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Liguori
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romano Spica
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Håkansson A, Moesch K, Kenttä G. COVID-19-related impact on mental health and career uncertainty in student-athletes—Data from a cohort of 7,025 athletes in an elite sport high school system in Sweden. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:943402. [PMID: 36203654 PMCID: PMC9530189 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.943402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesMental health consequences and behavior change has been described in elite athletes following the vast impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world of sports. However, most study samples have been of limited size, and few studies have assessed student-athletes. This study aimed to analyze perceived mental health impact, measured as clinical degree of depression and anxiety, worry about one's sport and about one's career, and behavioral change with respect to video gaming behavior, in high-school athletes in Sweden.MethodsData on anxiety and depression as well as on perceived behavioral changes during COVID-19 were collected from students at sports high schools in Sweden (N = 7,025) in February 2021, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsSixteen and 14% met criteria of moderate/severe depression and anxiety, respectively. Many respondents reported feeling mentally worse during the pandemic (66%), and were worried about the future of their sport (45%) or about their own future in sports (45%). Increased gaming behavior during COVID-19 was reported by 29%. All mental health variables were significantly more common in women, except increased gaming (more common in men). Being worried about one's career was less common in winter sports, more common in team sports and more common in older student-athletes, and associated with both depression and anxiety in regression analyses.DiscussionSelf-reported mental health impact of COVID-19 is substantial in student-athletes, and even more so in women and in team sports. The lower impact in winter athletes suggests a moderating effect of the seasons in which the COVID-19 outbreak occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Håkansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Region Skåne, Clinical Sports and Mental Health Unit, Malmö, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Anders Håkansson
| | - Karin Moesch
- Region Skåne, Clinical Sports and Mental Health Unit, Malmö, Sweden
- Swedish Sports Confederation, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Sports Sciences, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Göran Kenttä
- Swedish Sports Confederation, Stockholm, Sweden
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Marshall S, McNeil N, Seal EL, Nicholson M. Elite sport hubs during COVID-19: The job demands and resources that exist for athletes. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269817. [PMID: 35788207 PMCID: PMC9255745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, elite sport leagues implemented hubs, or ‘bubbles’, which restricted athletes’ movements and social interactions in order to minimise the risk of athlete infection and allow competitions to continue. This was a new way of working and living for elite athletes and there was a dearth of literature on this topic. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impacts of the hub model on athletes over time, and what job demands and resources existed for athletes through the application of Demerouti et al. (2001) Job Demands-Resources Model. Multiple sequential semi-structured interviews were conducted with Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) athletes during the 2020 season, which was held entirely in a hub in North Queensland, Australia. The key job demands in an elite sport hub identified were the volume of work, simultaneous overload and underload, and nature of work in the hub. The key resources that emerged include recovery services, control and player agency, and constructive social relations. Despite the presence of job resources, which work to counteract, or buffer job demands in order to reduce work stress and improve motivation, they were found to be insufficient for athletes and inequitably distributed between clubs. The intensity of the hub model also amplified demands present in all WNBL seasons. This research is therefore useful for planning of future elite sport leagues to improve the type and amount of resources available to athletes, thereby improving athlete wellbeing and performance both within and outside a hub model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Marshall
- Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicola McNeil
- Department of Management and Marketing, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma Louise Seal
- Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Nicholson
- Malaysia Office of the PVC & President, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Carnevale Pellino V, Lovecchio N, Puci MV, Marin L, Gatti A, Pirazzi A, Negri F, Ferraro OE, Vandoni M. Effects of the lockdown period on the mental health of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2022; 18:1187-1199. [PMID: 35693326 PMCID: PMC9174028 DOI: 10.1007/s11332-022-00964-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Purpose This review aimed to assess the effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on mental health to elite athletes. The emotional background influenced their sport career and was examined by questionnaires. Methods We included original studies that investigated psychological outcomes in elite athletes during COVID-19 lockdown. Sixteen original studies (n = 4475 participants) were analyzed. Results The findings showed that COVID-19 has an impact on elite athletes’ mental health and was linked with stress, anxiety and psychological distress. The magnitude of the impact was associated with athletes’ mood state profile, personality and resilience capacity. Conclusion The lockdown period impacted also elite athletes’ mental health and training routines with augmented anxiety but with fewer consequences than the general population thanks to adequate emotion regulation and coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Carnevale Pellino
- Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA)- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Tor Vergata Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Lovecchio
- Department of Human and Social Science, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Mariangela V. Puci
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Marin
- Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA)- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Laboratory for Rehabilitation Medicine and Sport (LARMS), 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Research, ASOMI College of Sciences, Marsa, 2080 Malta
| | - Alessandro Gatti
- Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA)- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Agnese Pirazzi
- Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA)- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Negri
- Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA)- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ottavia E. Ferraro
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Vandoni
- Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity (LAMA)- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Adapted physical activity in subjects and athletes recovering from covid-19: a position statement of the Società Italiana Scienze Motorie e Sportive. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2022; 18:659-669. [PMID: 35600000 PMCID: PMC9107771 DOI: 10.1007/s11332-022-00951-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic illness that is impacting the cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and cognitive function of a large spectrum of the worldwide population. The available pharmacological countermeasures of these long-term effects of COVID-19 are minimal, while myriads of non-specific non-pharmacological treatments are emerging in the literature. In this complicated scenario, particular emphasis should be dedicated to specific exercise interventions tailored for subjects and athletes recovering from COVID-19. Specific guidelines on adapted physical activity in this critical population are unavailable so far, therefore, in this position statement of the Società Italiana di Scienze Motorie e Sportive (SISMeS) the members of the steering committee of the research group Attività Motoria Adattata, Alimentazione, Salute e Fitness have indicated the adapted physical activity approaches to counteract the long-term effects of the COVID-19, both in good health people and athletes.
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Tranchita E, Murri A, Grazioli E, Cerulli C, Emerenziani GP, Ceci R, Caporossi D, Dimauro I, Parisi A. The Beneficial Role of Physical Exercise on Anthracyclines Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092288. [PMID: 35565417 PMCID: PMC9104319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The increase in breast cancer (BC) survival has determined a growing survivor population that seems to develop several comorbidities and, specifically, treatment-induced cardiovascular disease (CVD), especially those patients treated with anthracyclines. Indeed, it is known that these compounds act through the induction of supraphysiological production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which appear to be central mediators of numerous direct and indirect cardiac adverse consequences. Evidence suggests that physical exercise (PE) practised before, during or after BC treatments could represent a viable non-pharmacological strategy as it increases heart tolerance against many cardiotoxic agents, and therefore improves several functional, subclinical, and clinical parameters. At molecular level, the cardioprotective effects are mainly associated with an exercise-induced increase of stress response proteins (HSP60 and HSP70) and antioxidant (SOD activity, GSH), as well as a decrease in lipid peroxidation, and pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bax-to-Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, this protection can potentially be explained by a preservation of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution. Despite this knowledge, it is not clear which type of exercise should be suggested in BC patient undergoing anthracycline treatment. This highlights the lack of special guidelines on how affected patients should be managed more efficiently. This review offers a general framework for the role of anthracyclines in the physio-pathological mechanisms of cardiotoxicity and the potential protective role of PE. Finally, potential exercise-based strategies are discussed on the basis of scientific findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Tranchita
- Laboratory of Physical Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (A.M.); (C.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Arianna Murri
- Laboratory of Physical Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (A.M.); (C.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Elisa Grazioli
- Laboratory of Physical Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (A.M.); (C.C.); (A.P.)
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-3673-3532
| | - Claudia Cerulli
- Laboratory of Physical Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (A.M.); (C.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Gian Pietro Emerenziani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Roberta Ceci
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, 00135 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniela Caporossi
- Unit of Biology and Genetics of Movement, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (I.D.)
| | - Ivan Dimauro
- Unit of Biology and Genetics of Movement, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (D.C.); (I.D.)
| | - Attilio Parisi
- Laboratory of Physical Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Exercise, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro de Bosis 15, 00135 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (A.M.); (C.C.); (A.P.)
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12
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Jia L, Carter MV, Cusano A, Li X, Kelly JD, Bartley JD, Parisien RL. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental and Emotional Health of Athletes: A Systematic Review. Am J Sports Med 2022:3635465221087473. [PMID: 35413208 DOI: 10.1177/03635465221087473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the cancellation or postponement of virtually every sporting event, resulting in training disruptions, income loss, and career uncertainties for athletes around the world. At present, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and emotional health of athletes is not well understood. PURPOSE To investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and emotional health of athletes and to identify risk factors associated with poor mental health outcomes. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify all articles reporting on athletes' mental and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles were selected based on relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study characteristics, athlete demographics, and COVID-19 mental health data (sex-, type of sport-, and level of play-specific differences) were collected from each included article and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 35 studies were included in the final analysis, comprising athletes around the world and across numerous sports and levels of play. Most studies utilized at least 1 validated mental health questionnaire and assessed for outcomes such as depression, anxiety, stress, motivation, and athletic identity. Overall, athletes reported worse mental and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic, although these effects were attenuated by home training programs and quarantine training camps. Female sex and more elite levels of play were associated with an increased risk for poor mental health outcomes. Type of sport was associated with mixed results, with individual and team sports carrying different increased risks for poor mental and emotional health. Nearly all studies recommended the need for increased psychological support of athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental and emotional health of athletes is complex and multifaceted. Increased social interactions with coaches and teammates, continued access to training facilities and mental health professionals, and active utilization of healthy coping mechanisms can improve mental health outcomes for athletes in the era of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Jia
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael V Carter
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Xinning Li
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John D Kelly
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Robert L Parisien
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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13
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O’Connor EJ, Crozier AJ, Murphy A, Immink MA. Dispositional Mindfulness May Have Protected Athletes from Psychological Distress During COVID-19 in Australia. Percept Mot Skills 2022; 129:670-695. [PMID: 35400226 PMCID: PMC9008473 DOI: 10.1177/00315125221087523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Promoting athlete wellbeing has become a priority in elite sport, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated the need for a comprehensive understanding of risk and protective factors. Existing sport research has not yet considered whether specific cognitive factors such as dispositional mindfulness and executive function may protect athletes against psychological distress. In a sample of high-performance Australian football athletes (n = 27), we administered measures of dispositional mindfulness (MAAS), executive function (AOSPAN; eStroop), and psychological distress (APSQ) at pre-season, coinciding with the initial (2020) COVID-19-related sport shutdown in Australia. Measures of executive function and psychological distress were re-administered at the end of the COVID-19 affected competitive season in 2020. Athletes reported significantly elevated psychological distress relative to previous estimates of distress among high-performance athletes established in prior studies. Executive functions, including working memory and inhibitory control were not significantly associated with psychological distress or dispositional mindfulness at either timepoint. However, baseline mindfulness was associated with reduced distress at both pre-season (r = −0.48, p = .03) and end of season (r = −0.56, p = .004), suggesting that dispositional mindfulness may have afforded protective buffering against symptoms of distress. Correlation data alone does not establish a directional connection from mindfulness to reduced distress, and future research is required to elucidate this association and/or establish the mechanism/s by which dispositional mindfulness may protect against psychological distress in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J. O’Connor
- Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Alyson J Crozier
- Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Alistair Murphy
- Sports Science and Sports Medicine Unit, Tennis Australia, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Maarten A Immink
- Sport, Health, Activity, Performance and Exercise (SHAPE) Research Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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14
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Fiorilli G, Buonsenso A, Di Martino G, Crova C, Centorbi M, Grazioli E, Tranchita E, Cerulli C, Quinzi F, Calcagno G, Parisi A, di Cagno A. Impact of Active Breaks in the Classroom on Mathematical Performance and Attention in Elementary School Children. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9121689. [PMID: 34946415 PMCID: PMC8701340 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9121689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The increasing need to face the problem of sedentarism, especially in the COVID-19 era, induced teachers and researchers to find new intervention methodologies in school context. Active breaks (ABs) include brief periods of physical activity as a part of the curriculum. This study aimed to investigate the AB acute responses on attentive skills and mathematical performance and attention in a primary school. Methods: A total of 141 children (aged 9.61 ± 0.82), divided into six classes, participated in this study. Each class was randomly assigned to three groups on the basis of the type of protocol performed during the three ABs scheduled in a school day: fitness (FIT), creativity (CREAT), and control group (CON). At baseline and at the end of interventions, all participants underwent the Stroop Color and Word test (SCWT) and the math test (MATH) to assess the level of attention and mathematical performance, respectively. The degree of enjoyment was evaluated through the modified Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Results: The factorial ANOVA showed significant differences between the FIT and CON in MATH test (p = 0.023) and SCWT (p = 0.034). CREAT and FIT groups showed higher degree of enjoyment than the CON (both ps < 0.001). Conclusions: This study showed a positive acute impact of AB interventions. FIT positively influenced attentive and math performances more than the CREAT, probably due to the correct work/rest ratio and executive rhythm that allowed children to reach a good level of exertion. This report showed that ABs can be a useful and productive activity to be performed between curricular lessons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Fiorilli
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Andrea Buonsenso
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Giulia Di Martino
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Claudia Crova
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
| | - Marco Centorbi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Elisa Grazioli
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
| | - Eliana Tranchita
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
| | - Claudia Cerulli
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
| | - Federico Quinzi
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Calcagno
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; (G.F.); (A.B.); (G.D.M.); (M.C.); (G.C.)
| | - Attilio Parisi
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3356-020438
| | - Alessandra di Cagno
- Department of Motor, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00197 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (E.G.); (E.T.); (C.C.); (F.Q.); (A.d.C.)
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15
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Martínez-Gallego R, Fuentes-García JP, Crespo M. COVID-19 Prevention Measures Implemented by Tennis Coaches: The Role of Continent, Experience, and Type of Facility. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312679. [PMID: 34886411 PMCID: PMC8656888 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevention strategies used by tennis coaches when delivering tennis lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed in this study. An ad hoc questionnaire collected data from 655 Spanish and Portuguese speaking tennis coaches working in Latin America and Europe. Differences in the prevention measures were analyzed according to the continent, the coaches’ experience, and the type of facility they worked in. Results showed that coaches used information provided from local and national organizations more than from international ones. Hand hygiene, communication of preventive strategies, and changes in the coaching methodology were the most used prevention measures. Latin American coaches and those working in public facilities implemented the measures more often than their European colleagues or those working in private venues. Finally, more experienced coaches showed a greater awareness of the adoption of the measures than their less experienced counterparts. The data provided by this research may assist in developing new specific guidelines, protocols, and interventions to help better understand the daily delivery of tennis coaching in this challenging context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Pedro Fuentes-García
- Didactic and Behavioral Analysis of Sports Research Group (ADICODE), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Miguel Crespo
- Development Department, International Tennis Federation, London SW15 5XZ, UK;
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16
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Stress Impact of COVID-19 Sports Restrictions on Disabled Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212040. [PMID: 34831791 PMCID: PMC8619846 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The stress impact of COVID-19 restrictions has put the adapted sports community at an unprecedented level of emergency. The self-report Event Scale—Revised (IES-R) questionnaire was administered to assess the level of psychological distress and emotive reactions such as intrusion (INT), avoidance (AV) and hyperarousal (HYP) following training and competitions suspension within a sample of Italian disabled athletes. A total of 146 self-selected volunteers were included in this study: 73 disabled athletes (aged 42.11 ± 13.70) and 73 athletes (aged 40.23 ± 13.73) who served as the control group. Only 8.22% of the disabled participants vs. 30.14% of athletes were affected by subjective distress. MANOVA showed significant differences in IES-R subjective distress for age, where the emerging adults had a higher level of stress than adults (p = 0.031), and for the type of sport, where the individual sports group showed higher scores than the team sports group (p = 0.049). Regarding the IES-R subscales, significant differences were found in INT and AV for age, where the emerging adults showed higher scores than adults (p = 0.018 and p = 0.046, respectively). Significant differences were found in HYP for type of sport, where the individual sports group showed higher scores than the team sports group (p = 0.014). The results confirmed a lower distress level of disabled athletes to adverse events than that expressed by athletes. Both sports engagement and the experience of living with impairment, overcoming structural barriers, could act as a buffer effect against stress due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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17
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Training Conditions and Emotional Impact on Spanish Olympic Swimmers and Rowers in Social Isolation Due to COVID-19. Results of a Survey. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132011148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This article analyzes the results of a survey conducted in 2020 with Spanish Olympic swimmers and rowers, who were confined to their homes due to the epidemiological crisis. The questionnaire was administered between 23 April and 25 May. Responses to the questionnaire on emotional and adaptive reactions during the COVID-19 confinement (REACOVID-19) were received from 88 subjects, who represented 100% of the total population of Spanish Olympic swimmers and rowers. Through this questionnaire, they were asked about their living conditions, their daily training habits and their psychological, cognitive and emotional adaptation during the confinement. The results show the commitment of these athletes to their sports goals and their responsibility in respecting the confinement rules. Sixty-seven per cent of them stated that they had not left their homes for 96 days. In these extreme circumstances, the majority trained an average of 11 to 13 h a week and coped with the confinement with a positive attitude, in spite of the inconveniences of social isolation, the lack of equipment and technical support for training and the limitations of their physical space. The article analyzes which emotional and social factors influenced both their motivation and their hours of training.
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18
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Ogasawara I, Hamaguchi S, Hasegawa R, Akeda Y, Ota N, Revankar GS, Konda S, Taguchi T, Takanouchi T, Imoto K, Okimoto N, Sakuma K, Uchiyama A, Yamasaki K, Higashino T, Tomono K, Nakata K. Successful Reboot of High-Performance Sporting Activities by Japanese National Women's Handball Team in Tokyo, 2020 during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Initiative Using the Japan Sports-Cyber Physical System (JS-CPS) of the Sports Research Innovation Project (SRIP). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9865. [PMID: 34574789 PMCID: PMC8468396 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted sporting activities across the world. However, practical training strategies for athletes to reduce the risk of infection during the pandemic have not been definitively studied. The purpose of this report was to provide an overview of the challenges we encountered during the reboot of high-performance sporting activities of the Japanese national handball team during the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tokyo, Japan. Twenty-nine Japanese national women's handball players and 24 staff participated in the study. To initiate the reboot of their first training camp after COVID-19 stay-home social policy, we conducted: web-based health-monitoring, SARS-CoV-2 screening with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, real-time automated quantitative monitoring of social distancing on court using a moving image-based artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm, physical intensity evaluation with wearable heart rate (HR) and acceleration sensors, and a self-reported online questionnaire. The training camp was conducted successfully with no COVID-19 infections. The web-based health monitoring and the frequent PCR testing with short turnaround times contributed remarkably to early detection of athletes' health problems and to risk screening. During handball, AI-based on-court social-distance monitoring revealed key time-dependent spatial metrics to define player-to-player proximity. This information facilitated appropriate on- and off-game distancing behavior for teammates. Athletes regularly achieved around 80% of maximum HR during training, indicating anticipated improvements in achieving their physical intensities. Self-reported questionnaires related to the COVID management in the training camp revealed a sense of security among the athletes that allowed them to focus singularly on their training. The challenges discussed herein provided us considerable knowledge about creating and managing a safe environment for high-performing athletes in the COVID-19 pandemic via the Japan Sports-Cyber Physical System (JS-CPS) of the Sports Research Innovation Project (SRIP, Japan Sports Agency, Tokyo, Japan). This report is envisioned to provide informed decisions to coaches, trainers, policymakers from the sports federations in creating targeted, infection-free, sporting and training environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issei Ogasawara
- Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (I.O.); (G.S.R.); (S.K.); (K.Y.)
| | - Shigeto Hamaguchi
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (S.H.); (Y.A.); (N.O.); (K.T.)
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka University Hospital, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Hasegawa
- Department of Information Networking, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan;
| | - Yukihiro Akeda
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (S.H.); (Y.A.); (N.O.); (K.T.)
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka University Hospital, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Japan-Thailand Research Collaboration Centre on Emerging and Re-Emerging Infections, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (A.U.); (T.H.)
| | - Naoki Ota
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (S.H.); (Y.A.); (N.O.); (K.T.)
| | - Gajanan S. Revankar
- Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (I.O.); (G.S.R.); (S.K.); (K.Y.)
- Institute for Transdisciplinary Graduate Degree Programs, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Shoji Konda
- Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (I.O.); (G.S.R.); (S.K.); (K.Y.)
| | - Takashi Taguchi
- Japan Handball Association, Tokyo 1600013, Japan; (T.T.); (T.T.); (K.I.); (N.O.); (K.S.)
- Faculty of Economics and Information, Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University, Gifu 5008288, Japan
| | - Toshiya Takanouchi
- Japan Handball Association, Tokyo 1600013, Japan; (T.T.); (T.T.); (K.I.); (N.O.); (K.S.)
- T-function Inc., Tokyo 1560042, Japan
| | - Kojiro Imoto
- Japan Handball Association, Tokyo 1600013, Japan; (T.T.); (T.T.); (K.I.); (N.O.); (K.S.)
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto 8618520, Japan
| | - Nobukazu Okimoto
- Japan Handball Association, Tokyo 1600013, Japan; (T.T.); (T.T.); (K.I.); (N.O.); (K.S.)
- Medical Corporation Okimoto Clinic, Hiroshima 7340304, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Sakuma
- Japan Handball Association, Tokyo 1600013, Japan; (T.T.); (T.T.); (K.I.); (N.O.); (K.S.)
- Department of Rehabilitation, Medical Corporation Yamabe-Kai, Kumamoto Seijo Hospital, Kumamoto 8618072, Japan
| | - Akira Uchiyama
- Japan-Thailand Research Collaboration Centre on Emerging and Re-Emerging Infections, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (A.U.); (T.H.)
| | - Keita Yamasaki
- Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (I.O.); (G.S.R.); (S.K.); (K.Y.)
| | - Teruo Higashino
- Japan-Thailand Research Collaboration Centre on Emerging and Re-Emerging Infections, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (A.U.); (T.H.)
| | - Kazunori Tomono
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (S.H.); (Y.A.); (N.O.); (K.T.)
- Division of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka University Hospital, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Ken Nakata
- Department of Health and Sport Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka 5650871, Japan; (I.O.); (G.S.R.); (S.K.); (K.Y.)
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19
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Jurecka A, Skucińska P, Gądek A. Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus Pandemic on Physical Activity, Mental Health and Quality of Life in Professional Athletes-A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18179423. [PMID: 34502010 PMCID: PMC8431129 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Due to the rapid rate of spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a number of restrictions have been introduced into public spaces, including those related to the operation of sports facilities, compounding the difficulty for athletes to conduct appropriate forms of training. The aim of this study was to review current scientific reports assessing the impact of the pandemic on the physical activity, mental state, and quality of life of professional athletes. Popular scientific databases—PubMed, Scopus, and Embase—were systematically searched from the beginning of the pandemic until 12 July 2021. According to the adopted criteria, 14 articles were included in the review. Ten of the qualified studies determined the impact of the pandemic on the physical activity of athletes. The authors of 11 papers assessed the mental state and quality of life of athletes during the pandemic. The studies showed negative effects of the pandemic: a decrease in overall physical fitness and number of days and hours of training, as well as an increase in the occurrence of negative emotions (stress, fatigue, and depression) and a decrease in sleep quality. Changes in physical activity had an impact on overall well-being ratings, which depended on the sex of the subjects. Women were more likely to experience negative emotions compared to men. The mental state of the athletes affected the quality of sleep. This review summarises the negative effects of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic on the physical and mental health of professional athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja Jurecka
- Department of Orthopedics and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Paulina Skucińska
- Students’ Scientific Society, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-007 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Artur Gądek
- Department of Orthopedics and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 30-688 Krakow, Poland;
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20
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Cardinale M. Preparing athletes and staff for the first "pandemic" Olympic Games. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2021; 61:1052-1060. [PMID: 34256538 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.21.12745-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus causing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of pandemic on March 11, 2020, cases have been increasing around the World with more than 3-million deaths recorded and a daily number of COVID-19 cases 20 times higher than when the Olympics were postponed, at the time of writing. Governments adopted various lockdown measures forcing isolation for many weeks/months depending on the evolution of the disease in each country. The rapid transmission of the disease forced the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to be postponed for one year. Travel restrictions, quarantine requirements and isolation have been the norm for many athletes in preparation for the Olympic Games. Also, due to the measures put in place to reduce the spread of the disease, sporting facilities have been closed and competitions cancelled forcing athletes and their staff to find alternative solutions to maintain performance and continue preparing for the Olympics. This unique challenge is affecting the whole World, and while vaccination programs start to be deployed, in a few months the world will see the first Olympic Games' edition during a pandemic. The aim of this special paper was to consider the various challenges posed by the COVID pandemic and to provide information for coaching support staff to improve the preparation for Tokyo Olympics as well as consider the possible performance implications of this unique Olympic edition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cardinale
- Department of Research and Scientific Support, Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar - .,Department of Surgery and Interventional Medicine, Institute of Sport Exercise and Health, University College London, London, UK -
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