The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental status of health workers at sports clubs

Objective: COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people as well as athletes and healthcare professionals mentally. Although there are many studies examining the effect of the pandemic on the mental status of athletes and hospital staff, its effect on the psychological status of professionals providing athlete health care is unknown. This study investigates the effect of the pandemic on the mental health status of health workers of employed in sports clubs. Method: A total of 192 physicians, physiotherapists and masseurs employed in four different sports branches (football, basketball, volleyball, handball) participated in this survey study, which was conducted one year after the outbreak of the pandemic. Three questionnaires, including Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Coronavirus Fear Scale were administered to evaluate the mental status of the participants. Results: Physiotherapists' DASS-21 total and stress subgroup scores were found to be higher than those of masseurs (p=0.013, p=0.016, respectively). When compared by sports branches, the measurement results of healthcare professionals were similar (p>0.05). The DASS-21 anxiety subgroup scores were found to be higher in those who had COVID-19 infection than in those who did not (p=0.004). Nevertheless, the mean scores of the participants were in the normal range. Conclusion: In this study, which was conducted about a year after the beginning of the pandemic, the COVID-19 pandemic and the coronavirus infection did not have a significant effect on the mental state of the sports health workers. This can be attributed to the fact that healthcare professionals have adapted to the pandemic process. Amaç: COVÍD-19 pandemisi birçok insanı olduğu gibi sporcuları ve sağlık çalışanlarını da ruhsal açıdan olumsuz yönde etkilemiştir. Pandeminin sporcuların ve hastane çalışanlarının ruhsal durumu üzerindeki etkisini inceleyen çok sayıda çalışma olmasına rağmen sporcularla birebir ilgilenen sağlık çalışanlarının psikolojik durumuna etkisi bilinmemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı pandemi sürecinin spor kulüplerinde çalışan sağlık ekiplerinin ruhsal sağlık durumları üzerine etkisini araştırmaktır. Yöntem: Pandemi başladıktan bir sene sonra yapılan bu anket çalışmasına dört farklı takım spor branşında (futbol, basketbol, voleybol, hentbol) görev yapan doktor, fizyoterapist ve masörlerden oluşan toplam 192 takım sağlık çalışanı katıldı. Katılımcıların ruhsal durumunu değerlendirilmek amacıyla üç anket (Depresyon Anksiyete Stres Ölçeği-21, Koronavirüs Kaygı Ölçeği ve Koronavirüs Korkusu Ölçeği) uygulandı. Bulgular: Fizyoterapistlerin DASS-21 toplamı ve stres alt grubu puanları masörlere göre daha yüksek bulundu (sırasıyla;p=0.013, p=0.016). Spor branşlarına göre karşılaştırıldığında sağlık çalışanlarının ölçüm sonuçlarının benzer olduğu görüldü (p>0.05). COVÍD-19 enfeksiyonu geçirenlerde DASS-21 anksiyete alt grubu puanları geçirmeyenlere göre daha yüksek saptandı (p=0.004). Ancak, katılımcıların uygulanan ölçeklerden ve alt gruplarından aldıkları ortalama puanların normal aralıkta olduğu belirlendi. Sonuç: Pandemi başladıktan yaklaşık bir yıl sonra yapılan bu çalışmada COVÍD-19 pandemisinin ve koronavirüs enfeksiyonu geçirmenin takım sağlık ekibi çalışanlarının ruhsal durumu üzerinde belirgin bir etkisi bulunmadı. Sağlık çalışanlarının pandemi sürecine uyum sağlamış olması ruhsal durumu değerlendiren ölçeklerde normal sonuçlar alınmasını sağlamış olabilir.

Which athletes are more vulnerable to mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 crisis? A cross-sectional study.

The present study evaluated the mental health (MH) of athletes according to a range of variables, including SARS-CoV-2 infection status and sport-specific factors. An online survey was sent to 1636 Turkish professional athletes incorporating standardized scales assessing athlete-specific stress, depression, and anxiety. A total of 579 professional athletes (29% SARS-CoV-2 positive) participated in the study. While female athletes reported higher anxiety scores than males (p < 0.01), the depression scores of the athletes who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 were significantly higher than athletes who were not infected (p = 0.03). Higher athlete-specific stress, depression, and anxiety scores were associated with participating in an individual sport, experiencing chronic pain, severe sports injury history, and performance concerns (all p < 0.01). MH symptoms in athletes were associated with being infected with SARS-CoV-2, female gender, participating in an individual sport, and performance concerns. MH assessments should be undertaken with athletes to detect vulnerabilities and enable appropriate and timely MH interventions.

Mental health problems and risk assessment in football players infected with SARS-CoV-2: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although the negative psychological impact of the pandemic on athletes is well known, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding mental health (MH) problems among athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between MH problems, demographics, and SARS-CoV-2 related variables in football players infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: An online survey included demographic questions, SARS-CoV-2 related questions, the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 was distributed to male and female professional football players aged between 18-38 and infected with SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: A total of 261 football players participated in the study. The odds of athlete-specific distress in lower-level football players were up to 5.9 times more than those competing at the highest level (OR=3.06-5.93, 95% CI: 1.27-14.43, P<0.01). The odds of depression and stress in lower-level football players were up to 6.7 times more than those competing at the highest level (both OR=3.70-6.77, 95% CI: 1.18-19.20, P<0.01). In players who reported sleep problems, there was increased risk of athlete-specific distress (OR=2.43, 95% CI: 1.31-4.52, P<0.01), depression (OR=3.71, 95% CI: 1.98-6.95, P<0.01), anxiety (OR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.62-5.28, P<0.01), and stress (OR=7.08 95% CI: 3.52-14.02, P<0.01). There was increased risk of depression and stress in female players (OR=5.78, 95% CI: 2.03-16.4, P<0.01; OR=4.91, 95% CI: 1.57-15.4, P<0.01; respectively). The odds of anxiety in players who reported severe SARS-C0V-2 symptoms were up to 2.2 times more than asymptomatic players (OR=2.28, 95% CI: 1.08-4.82, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: MH problems in football players infected with SARS-CoV-2 were associated with female gender, participation in football in the lower-level, performance concerns, and sleep problems. MH assessment is indicated in athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2 to support detection, and appropriate and timely intervention.

Competing against COVID-19: what about the mental health problems of athletes with disabilities?

OBJECTIVES: Although there is growing interest in athletes' mental health (MH), there is a paucity of research exploring MH in athletes with disabilities (AWD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological state of AWD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey including demographic questions, SARS-CoV-2-related questions, and standardized scales assessing depression, anxiety, stress, coronavirus anxiety (CAS), and nonspecific psychological distress was distributed to AWD. RESULTS: A total of 362 athletes (183 AWD) participated in the study (response rate 31.2%). AWD infected with SARS-CoV-2 reported higher depression, anxiety, and CAS scores than AWD not infected with SARS-CoV-2 (Z = -2.10, ES = 0.15 Z = -3.45, ES = 0.25; Z = -2.43, ES = 0.18; respectively). Female AWD reported higher anxiety scores compared to males (Z = -2.25, ES = 0.16). Depression (Z = -2.80, ES = 0.20), stress (Z = -2.12, ES = 0.15) and K-10 (Z = -2.02, ES = 0.14 scores of individual sport AWD were higher than team sports AWD. CONCLUSION: MH problems in AWD were associated with a wide range of variables such as being infected with SARS-CoV-2, female gender, competing in an individual sport, and having performance concerns. In light of these results, MH assessment should be undertaken for AWD to ensure appropriate and timely intervention.

Effects of Long-Duration Home Isolation Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of Adolescent Athletes.

PURPOSE: To assess whether adolescent athletes were affected or not in terms of mental health by the long duration at home linked to isolation enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: The study included 940 team athletes, 274 individual athletes, and 131 nonathlete controls aged 12-17 years. Demographic data were obtained with a form including questions about age, sex, sports type, and physical activity status (type, duration, and frequency) during the isolation period. Participants completed the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. RESULTS: Among participants, 88% did not meet the physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents, while 42.8% felt depressed. Depressive symptoms were present in 38.1% of boys and 59.7% of girls, with girls (6.4%) having higher posttraumatic stress symptoms than boys (3.5%). Among athletes, depressive and anxiety symptoms were lower compared with nonathlete controls (P < .01). Posttraumatic stress symptoms were lower among athletes than nonathlete controls for girls (team vs control, P = .006; individual vs control, P = .002) but similar for boys (P > .05). The depression (P = .518), state (P = .866), and trait anxiety (P = .507) symptoms were similar between team athletes and individual athletes. CONCLUSION: Though adolescent athletes' depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were significantly lower than nonathlete controls, athletes also had high depression levels. These findings show the need to take precautions to protect the psychological health of not only nonathletes, but also athletes in the pandemic period.

The psychological impact of COVID-19 infection on athletes: example of professional male football players.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychological state of professional male football players who were infected by COVID-19.Method: The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were sent to players' smartphones by sharing a link to the questionnaire. A total of 523 professional football players aged between 18-38 years from 93 different sports clubs participated in the study. The players were divided into 2 groups according to Sars-COV-2 PCR test results.Results: Depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological distress scores of football players who were infected by COVID-19 were higher compared to players who were not infected by COVID-19 (all p < 0.001). Depression, stress, and psychological distress scores were higher for football players with higher loss of income than players with lower loss of income (p = 0.017, p = 0.007, p = 0.005, respectively). There were significant differences in anxiety, depression, and psychological distress scores in favor of the 18-22-year age group (p = 0.002, p = 0.009, p = 0.004, respectively).Conclusion: COVID-19 infection negatively affects the psychological states of football players. The psychological states of professional football players who were infected by COVID-19 should be monitored closely and psychological support should be provided.

The effects of home confinement on physical activity level and mental status in professional football players during COVID-19 outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus outbreak caused significant changes in football around the world, such as the suspension of leagues and home isolation of players, etc. The main purpose of the present study was to assess the psychological impacts of lockdown and similar restrictions on professional football players during the coronavirus pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The players from 36 professional football teams (n = 977) among Turkish Super League and First League teams were invited to complete a questionnaire including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Impact of Event Scale-Revised Scores (IES-R) and short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). RESULTS: The online survey was completed by 237 players (24.3%). The mean number of self-quarantine day of participants was 26.9 ± 6.2 days. The median CES-D Scale and IES-R scores were 6.0 (min:0, max:42) and 23.0 (min:0, max:59), respectively. IPAQ scores of the players showed that four-fifths of the players still maintain high physical activity levels. There were negative, very weak and significant correlations between CES-D score and being married (r = -0.146, p = 0.024), as well as between CES-D score and IPAQ-Walking (r = -0.189, p = 0.004). A significant positive very weak correlation was observed between CES-D score and self-quarantine days (r = 0.148, p = 0.024). IPAQ-Walking was an independent predictor of CES-D. CONCLUSION: These findings support that maintaining regular physical activity and routinely exercising in a safe home environment is one of the most important strategies to ensure healthy mental state.

The effect of isolation on athletes' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether the mental health status of professional athletes was affected by the isolation period in which organized sports were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 612 volunteers between the ages of 18-38 enrolled in the study, 418 of them were athletes engaged in team sports or individual sports and 194 of them were non-athletes. Participants completed the Depression - Anxiety - Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) and International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ). Non-parametric methods were used for comparisons between groups. The presence of a linear relationship was tested with the Spearman Correlation Test. A value of p < 0.05 was accepted statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 571 participants, 372 males and 199 females, completed the study. Depression and anxiety symptoms were lower in athletes compared to non-athletes (p < 0.05). Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were similar in team athletes and individual athletes (p = 0.232, p = 0.444, p = 0.116; respectively). The post-traumatic stress symptoms were lower in male team athletes than female team athletes (p = 0.020) and non-athletes (p < 0.001). Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were found to be similar in men and women (p > 0.05). There was a negative correlation between physical activity level and mental health symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mental health status of athletes was better than non-athletes, and the positive effect of sport, which was done until the break due to the isolation period, on mental health continued. These findings show that physical activity may help to protect mental health.