ABSTRACT
Over the last few decades research has shown the potentiality of sports practice and of relationships experienced in this context to social and emotional skills development in different age groups. Theoretical models were proposed to support sports programs that aim to promote positive outcomes and adaptive behaviors that act as protective factors for mental health, contributing to a healthy development. However, physical distancing measures imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic prevented sport practices in the conventional way, as predicted in these models. The aim of this chapter was to discuss the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic on the potentiality of sport to foster positive development in practitioners of different age groups, as well as to reflect on the challenges to be faced after the pandemic is controlled, specially those related to the resumption of in-person sports practices. In this sense, positive youth, adults and older adults development models in sports are presented, their main limitations in face of the pandemic, as well as possible theoretical and practical adaptations in sports programs to confront current and future challenges to the maintenance of sports practices. © 2021 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.