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

(1) Background: In this study, sport and subjective psychological well-being is investigated in three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: We have conducted three different representative sample surveys (n = 3600 altogether) on the Hungarian adult population and investigated the sample's subjective psychological well-being with the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, as well as changes in their subjective well-being through the different waves of the pandemic. Sporting habits and socio-economic variables were also surveyed, and OLS regression models were created focused on the WHO-5 measures. (3) Results: The subjective psychological well-being of the Hungarian adult population decreased significantly, but in the second and third wave of pandemic restrictions, an increase in subjective psychological well-being has been measured. The relationships between the time spent on doing sports and subjective psychological well-being were significant in each pandemic waves. The highest subjective psychological well-being and its highest increase were reported by those who could increase their time spent on doing sports as well. (4) Conclusions: The relationships between the sports activities, physical health, size of settlement, changes in income and subjective psychological well-being of the Hungarian adult population were significant in all three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WELL-BEING OF HUNGARIAN ATHLETES AND SPORTS PROFESSIONALS

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.