The causal model of elite athletes' burnout based on athletes' perfectionism during the Covid-19: The mediating role of coaching style

Burnout encompassed a host of medical, psychological, emotional and performance-related issues that can always be affected by individual and coach factors in elite athletes;therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perfectionism and burnout, mediated by perceived coaching style in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic. In this cross-sectional study, 258 elite athletes (M = 22.05 years, SD = 3.08;148 male) participated and completed scales of multidimensional perfectionism, athlete burnout and coaching style. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by structural equation modeling .The results indicate that direct paths perfectionism to burnout, perfectionism to coaching style, coaching style to burnout, and indirect pathways to perfectionism to burnout were mediating by coaching style, significant. The results indicate that during the COVID 19 , athletes who are less able to organize performance standards and expectations of themselves and others, and who are more committed to meeting external demands, are at higher risk of burnout. One could develop coach-education programmes that challenge beliefs regarding the effectiveness of controlling coaching behaviors to reduce perfectionist tendencies and expectations in athletes. In doing so, one might curtail the risk of burnout in athlete during the COVID 19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Development of Educational-Based Psychosocial Resilience Model Guidelines for Student Survival in New Normative Routines

This study aims to review student-athletes resilience power, coping power, and protective power in surviving the new norm routine in Malaysia. Aspects of the resilience dimension include self-confidence, self-discipline, self-ability, self-control, and self-determination. In addition, this study also aims to identify whether there are differences in resilience and coping dimensions based on some demographic factors. Both aspects of the survey, namely the level of resilience and coping, identify this difference obtained from data collected through questionnaires. The study sample consisted of school students in Malaysia. A total of 190 study samples were randomly selected. This study uses a quantitative approach. The findings of the study through exploratory analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) revealed the structure of four factors: self-confidence, self-discipline, self-ability, and self-control. Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that the scale items formed four factors related to higher coping. The structure turns out to be stable over different age groups. The study's implications showed the need for exposure to Co-Curriculum education patterns and social support applied directly in increasing the protective power against challenges for student-athletes. © 2023 by authors, all rights reserved.

Analysis of the COVID-19 Lockdown Impact on Biological Parameters and Physical Performance in Football Players

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant changes in global sustainability, but specifically, this study analyses the impact of lockdown on health and behavior in the game of football. The 2020/2021 Italian football competitive season (indicated as "post-COVID”), taking place following an obliged lockdown and longer than the normal summery season break, was characterized by very short recovery times and was compared to the 2018–2019 "pre-COVID” season, which had a regular course. The comparisons were about anthropometric and hormonal responses, muscle damage, and the physical performance of players in the major league (Serie A), and were made considering two extreme points of the competitive seasons: before the preparatory period (T0) and at the end of the season (T1). Turning to the results, it is significant to note the following: (1) body fat percentage was lower at the start (T0) of the post-COVID season than at the start of the pre-COVID season. During both seasons, serum CK and LDH increased in T1 and were significantly higher in both T0 and T1 of the post-COVID season. (2) Cortisol and testosterone concentrations increased in both seasons from T0 to T1;however, in the post-COVID season, concentrations of both were higher than in the previous season. The testosterone to cortisol ratio increased at the end of the pre-COVID season, whilst strongly decreasing at T1 of the post-COVID season. (3) Blood lactate concentrations significantly decreased during the pre-COVID season but remained unchanged during the post-COVID season. We may conclude that the enforced suspension period and the consequent rapid resumption of all activities influenced the physical and physiological state of professional footballers.

Three clinical cases of herpes zoster after vaccination against COVID-19 in active athletes. - Bulgarian medical journal, 2023, 17(1), 67-70

Shingles is a viral skin disease caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. We report varicella zoster virus reactivation in three long-time athletes after vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The three athletes had no evidence of immunosuppressive conditions or other illnesses, and all three did not suffer from COVID-19. The first patient is a 21-year-old athlete with an 8-year sports career. He developed shingles four days after being vaccinated against COVID-19. The second athlete is 20 years old and has been actively involved in fitness for ten years. He was diagnosed with herpes zoster three days after the vaccination. The third athlete is 23 years old and has been actively involved in sports and fitness since the age of 6;he was diagnosed 4 days after the vaccination against COVID-19. All three were diagnosed by a dermatologist. Discussion: The relationship between the development of herpes zoster after the administration of a vaccine against COVID-19 has been the subject of many studies worldwide, but the occurrence of herpes zoster after Covid-19 vaccination in athletes is described for the first time. Our team did not find a report of a case of an athlete with herpes zoster after vaccination for COVID-19 anywhere, which motivated us to describe the above three cases.

Exploring the Athletic Identity, Anxiety, and Mental Health of Division II Collegiate Athletes in the COVID-19 Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious implications on the health and well-being of student-athletes. The present study explored the athletic experiences of NCAA Division II college athletes during the competitive hiatus caused by the pandemic, as well as in their return to sport participation. Twenty male and female student-athletes from a variety of sports (freshman = 2, sophomores = 4, seniors = 9, and graduate = 5) participated in semistructured interviews to explore how the pandemic affected their athletic identity, anxiety, and mental health. Through the use of thematic content analysis, the following major themes were identified: (a) influence of COVID on athletic identity, (b) increased anxiety during COVID, (c) social aspects of sport participation, and (d) factors that influence mental health. Findings indicated a combination of positive and negative effects on the athletic identity, anxiety, and mental health and well-being of student-athletes.

Impact of (long) COVID on athletes' performance: a prospective study in elite football players.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate possible persistent performance deficits after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in elite athletes. METHODS: A prospective cohort study in three Belgian professional male football teams was performed during the 2020 - 2021 season. Participants were submitted to strength, jump, and sprint tests and an aerobic performance test (the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (YYIR)). These tests were repeated at fixed time intervals throughout the season. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection was performed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before each official game. RESULTS: Of the 84 included participants, 22 were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during follow-up. At the first testing after infection (52.0 ± 11.2 days after positive PCR testing) significantly higher percentages of maximal heart rate (%HRmax) were seen - within the isolated group of infected players- during (p = .006) and after the YYIR (2 min after, p = .013), compared to pre-infection data. This increase in %HRmax was resolved at the second YYIR testing after infection (127.6 ± 33.1 days after positive PCR testing). Additionally, when comparing the first test after infection in formerly infected to non-infected athletes, significantly higher %HRmax were found during (p < .001) and after the YYIR test (p < .001),No significant deficits were found for the jump, muscular strength or sprint tests.Aerobic performance seems compromised even weeks after infection. Simultaneously, anaerobic performance seemed to be spared. Because of the potential detrimental effects on the immune system, caution might be advised with high-intensity exposure until aerobic performance is restored.KEY MESSAGESElite football players' aerobic performance seems to be affected for weeks after they return to sports after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.Similarly, anaerobic performance tests showed no discernible changes between both before and after SARS-CoV-2 infections.Regular YYIR testing is recommended to monitor aerobic performance after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Self-reported Mental Health Measures among Incoming Collegiate Student-Athletes who had SARS-COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 survivors may experience persistent neuropsychological disruptions such as lower satisfaction with life (SWLS), depression, and anxiety. While student-athletes are at low risk for severe COVID complications, the effect of COVID on mental health remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE: Compare patient-reported mental health outcomes for incoming collegiate athletes who did (COVID+) and did not (COVID-) have COVID-19. METHODS: 79 COVID+ (79/178, 44.4%, 18.90±0.16 years) and 99 COVID- (99/178, 55.6%,18.95±0.16 years) completed SWLS, anxiety (HADS anxiety, STAI), depression (HADS depression). Unadjusted One-way ANOVAs were conducted across all patient-reported outcomes. ANCOVAs were conducted to determine the interaction of COVID history, sex, and race/ethnicity on outcomes. Post-hoc Bonferroni testing was performed to determine specific differences between groups. Chi-square analyses were used to compare the number of athletes who met the standard of clinical cut points for both groups. RESULTS: We observed a significant difference between groups for HADS depression (p=0.047), whereby athletes in the COVID+ group had significantly higher depression ratings (2.9±0.3). There was a significant group difference for SWLS (p=0.019), HADS anxiety (p=0.003), and STAI state anxiety (p=0.014) such that SWLS, HADS anxiety, and trait anxiety was higher for the COVID+ group in the adjusted model. Post-hoc testing revealed that COVID+ females had significantly worse HADS anxiety (p=0.011) and STAI trait anxiety (p=0.002). There were no significant differences in the percentage of responses below established diagnostic thresholds between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Incoming collegiate student-athletes who reported prior COVID diagnosis reported significantly higher depression scores suggesting clinicians may need to be aware of the potential need to intervene with appropriate mental health identification and referral. However, it was encouraging that most participants, regardless of prior COVID diagnosis, had mental health scores that did not exceed established diagnostic threshold values.

Mental health, eating habits and physical activity levels of elite Iranian athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life styles of millions of people worldwide. This study investigated changes in the health, physical activity levels and eating habits of elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Iran. METHODS: 383 (248 female and 135 male) elite athletes (168.82 ± 0.07 cm; 63.92 ± 7.42 kg; the body mass index (BMI): 22.3 ± 0.78 kg/m2) participated in this study. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) study tools were used to measure levels of physical activity and mental health status, respectively. The Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) was used to assess food consumption related to emotion. Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis test were used in data analysis. RESULTS: Levels of depression and stress were mild and moderate, while levels of anxiety were severe and very severe in most elite athletes. There were levels of low emotional eating by elite athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical activity levels were negatively correlated with psychological mood measures (p≤0.05), while there were positive correlations between emotional eating behaviours and psychological mood measures (moderate correlation; p≤0.01) and light physical activity levels (weak correlation; p≤0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides the first preliminary evidence showing that the COVID-19 lockdown conditions negatively influenced the eating habits and levels of physical activity and mental health in elite athletes. Regular high intensity physical activity as health strategy in elite athletes and the general population remains a strategy to improve overall health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, these findings suggest the need to devise strategies to improve the life styles of elite athletes during pandemics such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

CONTEXTE: La pandémie de COVID-19 a changé les modes de vie de millions de personnes dans le monde. Cette étude a examiné certains indicateurs de bonne santé, les niveaux d'activité physique et les habitudes alimentaires d'athlètes Elite iraniens pendant le confinement lié à la pandémie de COVID-19.Méthodes : 383 (248 femmes et 135 hommes) athlètes élites (168,82 ± 0,07 cm ; 63,92 ± 7,42 kg ; indice de masse corporelle (IMC) : 22,3 ± 0,78 kg/m2) ont participé à cette étude. Le questionnaire international sur l'activité physique (IPAQ), l'échelle DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales) et les scores de l'auto-questionnaire Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) ont été utilisés pour mesurer les niveaux respectifs d'activité physique et de l'état de santé mentale. L'Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) a été utilisé pour évaluer les altérations de la prise alimentaire liées à l'émotion. Le test d'analyse de corrélation de Pearson et Spearman a été utilisé pour l'analyse des données.Résultats : Les niveaux de dépression et de stress étaient légers et modérés, tandis que les niveaux d'anxiété étaient sévères à très sévères chez la plupart des athlètes élites. Il y avait des niveaux de faible alimentation d'origine émotionnelle chez ces athlètes pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. Les niveaux d'activité physique étaient corrélés négativement avec les mesures de l'humeur psychologique (p≤0,05), tandis qu'il y avait des corrélations positives entre les comportements alimentaires émotionnels et les mesures de l'humeur psychologique (corrélation modérée ; p≤0,01) et les niveaux d'activité physique légère (faible corrélation ; p≤0,05). CONCLUSION: Cette étude apporte une preuve préliminaire que les conditions de confinement liées au COVID-19 ont influencé négativement les habitudes alimentaires et les niveaux d'activité physique et de santé mentale chez des athlètes élites. L'activité physique régulière à haute intensité aussi bien chez les athlètes élites que pour la population générale reste une stratégie pour améliorer la santé globale pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. De plus, ces résultats suggèrent la nécessité de concevoir des stratégies pour améliorer les styles de vie des athlètes élites lors de pandémies, telles que celle de Covid-19.

Special Issue: Diet and nutraceuticals for mental and physical performance in athletes. (Special Issue: Diet and nutraceuticals for mental and physical performance in athletes.)

This supplement containing 7 articles stresses the importance of diet and selected nutraceuticals that may impact both the physical and mental performance of athletes. The past 2.5 years living with the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have taxed all of us mentally and possibly to a greater extent in the athletic population. While life in general has returned to some form of normalcy for many, emerging from this pandemic has alerted us to the importance of vaccines and physical-distancing measures, especially as they relate to sport. The return of organized sport at all levels has also underscored the important roles that exercise and sport play in the lives and mental health of everyone, including athletes. The goal of this supplement is to provide recent information that will help athletes achieve optimal physical and mental performance in their chosen sport.

'Legs feed the wolf': An evolutionary perspective on psychosocial stress, physical activity, and their associations with telomere length in NCAA student-athletes and non-athletes

Psychosocial stress negatively impacts our mental and physical health, predisposing us to illness, worsened mental health, and accelerated aging. Conversely, regular physical activity, such as exercise and sports training, positively impacts our health. These opposing effects are intriguing because psychosocial stress and physical activity were inextricably linked throughout human evolution. Large populations of humans have only recently begun transitioning into more sedentary lifestyles, uncoupling psychosocial stress from physical activity. Improving our understanding of these two factors and their interactions will, in turn, improve our understanding of the mechanisms through which psychosocial stress impacts health in both modern and ancestral human populations.My dissertation examines whether physical activity moderates the association between psychosocial stress and capillary blood telomere length in NCAA student-athletes and their non- athlete counterparts in the general student population. My first paper develops an in-depth comparison of psychosocial stress in these two groups using a suite of psychosocial stress surveys and an adapted cognitive interview protocol. Student-athletes (N=65) reported lower levels of current perceived stress and anxiety symptoms (p<0.05) but similar levels of childhood psychosocial stress, recent exposure to external stressors, and depressive symptoms compared to non-athletes (N=57). My second paper utilized self-report and objective measures of physical activity (i.e., accelerometry) to compare physical activity patterns in these groups. Student- athletes (N=60) both self-reported higher levels of physical activity and recorded higher levels of activity via accelerometry (p>0.001) compared to non-athletes (N=50). Interestingly, categorical measures of activity levels (i.e., time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) identified Rowers as the most active among student-athletes, but continuous measures of activity levels (e.g., total physical activity level) identified Track and Field athletes as the most active (p>0.05 for both comparisons).My third and final paper tested whether higher physical activity weakened the association between childhood psychosocial stress and telomere length estimated from capillary blood collected on Hemaspot HF devices (N=111). Telomeres are DNA sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes. They shorten with cell replication, age, and oxidative stress, leading to functional decline with age and worsened health outcomes. Importantly, psychosocial stress is thought to accelerate TL shortening. My a priori analyses did not support a direct association between psychosocial stress, physical activity, or the interaction of these variables and telomere length. However, a post hoc analysis found that individuals who recorded higher total physical activity demonstrated a positive association between childhood psychosocial stress and telomere length (i.e., higher childhood stress predicted longer telomeres) while individuals who recorded lower total physical activity had a negative association (i.e., higher childhood psychosocial stress predicted shorter telomeres).My results do not offer explicit support for the hypothesis that physical activity moderates the effects of psychosocial stress on telomere length. However, my project adds to the literature in at least several ways. It produced a novel and much-needed comparison of psychosocial stress between NCAA student-athletes and non-athletes. It illustrated and validated several data collection techniques for psychosocial stress and physical activity. Further, my telomere findings offer an exciting direction for the future exploration of psychosocial stress- physical activity interactions. Lastly, this work improves our overall understanding of NCAA student-athletes' mental and physical health and how their unique circumstances intersect with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Incidence and burden of injury at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games held during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study of 66 045 athlete days.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of injuries at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, including injuries sustained in the new sports of badminton and taekwondo. METHODS: Injury data were obtained daily via the established web-based injury and illness surveillance system (WEB-IISS; 81 countries, 3836 athletes) and local organising committee medical facilities (81 countries, 567 athletes). Univariate unadjusted incidences (injuries per 1000 athlete days with 95% CIs), injury proportion (IP, %) and injury burden (days lost per 1000 athlete days) are reported. RESULTS: A total of 4403 athletes (1853 women, 2550 men) from 162 countries were monitored prospectively during the 3-day pre-competition and 12-day competition periods (66 045 athlete days). 386 injuries were reported in 352 athletes (IP=8.0%) with an incidence of 5.8 per 1000 athlete days (95% CI 5.3 to 6.5). Football 5-a-side (17.2), taekwondo (16.0), judo (11.6) and badminton (9.6) had the highest incidence. There was a higher incidence of injuries in the pre-competition period than in the competition period (7.5 vs 5.4; p=0.0053). Acute (sudden onset) injuries and injuries to the shoulder (0.7) and hand/fingers (0.6) were most common. Injury burden was 10.9 (8.6-13.8), with 35% of injuries resulting in time loss from training and competition. CONCLUSION: Compared with previous Paralympic Games, there was a reduction in injury incidence but higher injury burden at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The new sports of taekwondo and badminton had a high injury incidence, with the highest injury burden in taekwondo, compared with other sports. These findings provide epidemiological data to inform injury prevention measures for high-risk sports.

Pharmacy services at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games: perspectives of the pharmacy workforce.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the awareness of the volunteer pharmacy workforce of medication use and their satisfaction with the pharmacy services of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games from a pharmacist's perspective. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed from related articles in published peer-reviewed journals and modified prior to distribution to the whole population of pharmacists serving at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Validity tests were conducted based on expert opinions and Cronbach's alpha (0.79). The questionnaire consisted of demographics (11 questions), knowledge of medication use in sports (8 questions) and satisfaction on the provision of the service (5 questions). Responses using a 5-point-Likert scale, from strongly agree (5) to strongly disagree (1), and two free text questions were analysed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The response rate was 86% (n=32/37). Overall, the pharmacists reported a high awareness of medication use. Specifically, questions on the prohibited list of medications (mean 4.0±SD 0.7), COVID-19 policy (3.8±0.9), use of alternative non-prohibited medications (3.6±1.0) and therapeutic use exemptions (3.5±0.9). Moreover, they rated high satisfaction with the pharmacy service they provided. However, rates were ≤3 for knowledge of the International Olympic Committee Needle Policy (2.6±1.0), Medication Importation Declaration (2.9±1.0) and communication skills (3.0±1.0). CONCLUSION: Pharmacists were confident and satisfied with the pharmacy service at the games. The study confirms the importance of prior training and education. Game-specific policies and strategies to improve communication skills should be included in the pharmacy education for future Games.

Controlled Evaluation of a Sport-Specific Performance Optimization Program in a Biracial Black and White Athlete Diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia

There are a very limited number of sport-specific mental health and sport performance interventions available for athletes of color. This study examined The Optimum Performance Program in Sports (TOPPS) in a biracial adolescent athlete who was diagnosed with Agoraphobia and Social Anxiety Disorder. A multiple-baseline across behaviors case trial design was used to evaluate outcomes. A battery of psychological measures specific to mental health and sport performance was administered at baseline, post-intervention, and a 3-month follow-up. Social skill sets (i.e., positive assertion and negative assertion) were systematically targeted sequentially in a virtual format using HIPAA compliant video-conferencing technology to safeguard against contracting COVID-19. Results demonstrated improvement in negative and positive assertion skills when targeted by the intervention. Severity of concurrent symptoms associated with Social Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia Symptoms, general psychiatric functioning, relationships with coaches, teammates and family, and factors interfering with sports performance improved from pre- to post-intervention. These improvements were maintained at the 3-month follow-up. Athlete ratings indicated their satisfaction with TOPPS was high, and intervention components were implemented with high integrity. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Clinical Case Studies is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

The winding road to the Tokyo Olympics: A dynamic approach to the relationships between stress appraisal, coping, performance, and burnout among an artistic swimming team

This study aimed to better understand psychological adaptation processes of elite athletes, and specifically how stress appraisal and coping processes are dynamically interrelated and the extent to which their dynamic relationship is associated with performance and burnout among an artistic swimming team during the qualification phase for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics conducted in summer 2021. Fifteen elite artistic swimmers (Mage = 21 years, SDage = 3 years) completed an online questionnaire once a week measuring perceived stress, stress mindset, individual and collective perception of control, individual and interpersonal coping strategies, performance, and burnout (i.e., 19 time-points, January-May 2021). Results of multilevel analyses showed that (a) mastery coping mediated the association between stress mindset and reduced sense of accomplishment, (b) goal-withdrawal coping mediated the association between stress mindset and negative feelings toward sport, and (c) interpersonal management of emotions mediated the association between collective perception of control and collective performance. This study provides new knowledge about the psychological adaptation processes of elite athletes during the particularly stressful Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification phase. Furthermore, it highlights the need to longitudinally and frequently assess changes in psychological adaptation processes in relation to burnout and performance fluctuations in order to prevent burnout development and a deterioration in individual or team performance, especially in extended challenging situations experienced by elite athletes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Under-researched populations and topics in sport and exercise medicine (SEM)

Correspondence to Dr Sharief Hendricks, Division of Physiological Sciences and Health through Physical Activity, Lifetsyle and Sport Research Centre, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape 7725, South Africa;sharief.hendricks01@gmail.com In this South African Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) edition of BJSM, we spotlight work on under-researched populations and topics in sport and exercise medicine (SEM). Youth sport, TGNC athletes and mental health Access to athlete mental health care, like physical care, can be considered a resource that allows athletes to function, cope with stress, perform and achieve their goals. In 2019, the IOC established the Mental Health Working Group to develop an assessment battery for the early identification of mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes.3 The internal consistency of the mental health assessment battery has been tested in elite athletes, but can the same internal consistency be shown for student athletes?

Paralympic boccia in Brazil: use of coping strategies by athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic

The measure of physical isolation adopted during a pandemic affected the daily routine of the whole world, including in the sports environment. Therefore, the study sought to compare the coping strategies used by Paralympic boccia athletes during the pandemic period. The sample consisted of 43 athletes (30 men and 13 women) aged 29.95-11,76 years. To identify and measure coping strategies, the ACSI-28 (athletic coping skills inventory) questionnaire was used in its version adapted to Portuguese and added to an electronic form. In data analysis, normality was verified by the Shapiro-Wilk test. After that, all inferential comparison analyzes were measured via nonparametric statistical tests with paired post-hoc DSCF tests. Thus, the results showed that there were significant differences between comparisons in terms of experience, "+10 years", "5 to 10 years", and "1 to 3 years" on the subscales "goals and mental preparation" (6.00+or-1.75 vs 5+or-1.50 vs 5+or-1.50;p<0.05;ES: 0.26) and "trainability" (9.00+or-3.25 vs 6.00+or-0.500 vs 8.00+or-3.00;p<0.05;ES: 0.19). More and less experienced athletes in the boccia modality showed superiority in facing the pandemic period, as they obtained better indices in the "goals and mental preparation and trainability" dimensions of coping strategies compared to their peers with less experience.

Cardiac troponins: Mechanisms of release and role in healthy and diseased subjects.

The cardiac troponins (cTns), cardiac troponin C (cTnC), cTnT, and cTnI are key elements of myocardial apparatus, fixed as protein complex on the thin filament of sarcomere and are involved in the regulation of excitation-contraction coupling of cardiomyocytes in the presence of Ca2+ . Circulating cTnT and cTnI (cTns) increase following cardiac tissue necrosis, and they are consolidated biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the use of high sensitivity (hs)-immunoassay tests for cTnT and cTnI has made it possible to identify a multitude of other clinical conditions associated with increased circulating levels of cTns. cTns can be measured also in the peripheral circulation of healthy subjects or athletes, suggesting that different mechanisms are involved in the release of cTns in the blood independently of cardiac cell necrosis. In this review, the molecular/cellular mechanisms involved in cTns release in blood and the exploitation of cTnI and cTnT as biomarkers of cardiac adverse events, in addition to cardiac necrosis, are discussed.

Structural and social determinants of mental health inequities among collegiate athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among collegiate athletes and assess whether racial and ethnic differences in psychological distress are attenuated when accounting for inequitable exposure to structural and social determinants of health. METHODS: Participants were collegiate athletes on teams competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (n=24 246). An electronic questionnaire was distributed by email, open for completion 6 October to 2 November 2020. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the cross-sectional associations between meeting basic needs, death or hospitalisation due to COVID-19 of a close contact, race and ethnicity, and psychological distress. RESULTS: Athletes racialised as Black had higher levels of psychological distress than their white peers (B=0.36, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.64). Psychological distress was higher among athletes who had more difficulties meeting basic needs, and who had a close contact die or be hospitalised with COVID-19. After adjusting for these structural and social factors, Black athletes experienced less psychological distress than white peers (B=-0.27, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings provide further evidence of how inequitable structural and social exposures are associated with racial and ethnic differences in mental health outcomes. Sports organisations should ensure the mental health services available for their athletes are appropriate for meeting the needs of individuals experiencing complex and traumatic stressors. Sports organisations should also consider whether there are opportunities to screen for social needs (eg, related to food or housing insecurity), and to connect athletes with resources to help meet those needs.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight loss of Korean athletes: changes in athletes' physical activity and eating behavior.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the physical activity and eating habits of elite athletes to identify changes in their weight and participation levels in competitions pre- and post-COVID-19, and to establish a database of the abovementioned factors for the post-COVID-19 period. METHODS: This study surveyed 913 elite adult athletes from 22 sports. They were divided into two groups: weight loss athletes' group (WLG) and non-weight loss athletes' group (NWLG). In addition to demographic factors, the questionnaire included questions about physical activity, sleep, and eating habits pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The survey included 46 questions requiring short subjective answers. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: In the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, physical activity and sitting decreased in athletes of both groups. The difference in the number of meals consumed by both groups varied, and the number of tournaments the athletes participated in decreased for all sports. The success or failure of weight loss is essential for maintaining athletes' performance and health. CONCLUSION: Coaches play an important role in investigating and managing the weight loss regimen of athletes during crisis situations like a pandemic. Additionally, athletes must find the best way to maintain their competencies to the standards set before COVID-19. Adhering to such a regimen will have the greatest impact on their tournament participation in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.