ABSTRACT
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has huge influences on daily life and is not only associated with physical but also with major psychological impacts. Mental health problems and disorders are frequently present in elite paralympic athletes. Due to the pandemic situation, new stressors (e.g., loss of routine, financial insecurity) might act upon the athletes. Therefore, the assessment of mental health in athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic is important to identify prevalence of psychological problems and propose countermeasures. Methods: The mental health of German paralympic athletes was longitudinally monitored (starting in May 2019). The athletes completed the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4) on a weekly basis and reported a stress level, training hours, and training load. During the pandemic, 8 measurement time points (March 2020 to April 2021) were used to reflect the psychological health course of the athletes. In parallel, a convenience sample of the general population was questioned about their psychological distress, including the PHQ-4. To be included in the analysis, participants of both groups had to complete at least 4 measurement time points. Matching of the para-athletes and the general population sample was prioritized upon completion of the same measurement time points, gender, and age. Results: Seventy-eight paralympic athletes (40 women, 38 men, age: 29.8 ± 11.4 years) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-eight matched pairs of the general population (40 women; 38 men; age: 30.5 ± 10.9 years) were identified. The para-athletes had a significantly (p <0.0001; 0.39 < r <0.48) lower PHQ-4 value at each measurement time point compared to the matched control group. No significant age or sex differences were evident regarding the symptom burden. In para-athletes, no significant and a weak positive correlation was found between decreased training load and PHQ-4 values and a stress level, respectively. Reduced physical activity was significantly (p <0.0001) associated with higher PHQ-4 values in the general population sample. Discussion: Lower PHQ-4 values were reported by the para-athletes compared to the general population sample. However, small sample sizes must be considered while interpreting the data. Nevertheless, adequate support for individuals suffering from severe psychopathological symptoms should be provided for para-athletes as well as for the general population.
ABSTRACT
Background The purpose of this study was to bring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on competitive sports of german para-athletes into focus. We aimed to identify special aspects of disabled athletes during the pandemic, and their mental health. Material and Methods All german candidate athletes preparing for the Tokyo Summer Paralympic Games were asked to complete a questionnaire, which consisted of questions about sports participation, physical and mental health, and the occupational and personal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results A total of 109 athletes (52 men, 57 women, mean age 29.2 (±10.4) years) completed the questionnaire between May 17th and August 30th 2020. 70% of the athletes felt that organizing their training was difficult, two-thirds of the athletes trained less than before. Half of the participants worried about their own well-being, 25% about their career, only 8% about their finances. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on sports of elite para athletes. Many athletes worried about the social impact and half of the respondents were of the opinion that people with disabilities were specially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Level of evidence: IV
ABSTRACT
Summary Background The purpose of this study was to bring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on competitive sports of german para-athletes into focus. We aimed to identify special aspects of disabled athletes during the pandemic, and their mental health. Material and Methods All german candidate athletes preparing for the Tokyo Summer Paralympic Games were asked to complete a questionnaire, which consisted of questions about sports participation, physical and mental health, and the occupational and personal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results A total of 109 athletes (52 men, 57 women, mean age 29.2 (±10.4) years) completed the questionnaire between May 17th and August 30th 2020. 70% of the athletes felt that organizing their training was difficult, two-thirds of the athletes trained less than before. Half of the participants worried about their own well-being, 25% about their career, only 8% about their finances. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on sports of elite para athletes. Many athletes worried about the social impact and half of the respondents were of the opinion that people with disabilities were specially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Level of evidence: IV Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Ziel der Studie war es, Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf den paralympischen Leistungssport sowie die mentale Gesundheit deutscher paralympischer Athleten zu untersuchen. Material und Methoden Alle potentiell an den paralympischen Sommerspielen in Tokyo teilnehmenden deutschen Athleten wurden eingeladen, Fragen zur Teilnahme an Training und Wettkampf, physischer und mentaler Gesundheit und persönlichen wie auch beruflichen Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie zu beantworten. Ergebnisse Insgesamt füllten 109 Athleten (52 Männer, 57 Frauen, Durchschnittsalter 29,2 (±10,4) Jahre) zwischen dem 17. Mai und dem 30. August 2020 den Fragebogen aus. 70% der Athleten gaben an, dass die Organisation ihres Trainings deutlich erschwert war, zwei Drittel der Athleten trainierte weniger als zuvor. Die Hälfte der Teilnehmer sorgten sich um ihre eigene Gesundheit, ein Viertel um ihre Karriere und 8% um ihre Finanzen. Schlussfolgerungen Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat deutliche Auswirkungen auf den Sport paralympischer Athleten. Viele Athleten machten sich Sorgen über die sozialen Auswirkungen und die Hälfte der Teilnehmer waren der Meinung, dass Menschen mit Behinderung besonders von den Auswirkungen der COVID-19 Pandemie betroffen sind. Evidenzebene: IV