Anxiety status of junior archers in COVID-19 during training isolation period towards the shooting performance

Studies have indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had miserable effects on athlete performance due to the movement control order (MCO) announced by the Malaysia Government. Dealing with self-training without the coach's guidance leads the archers to lose concentration, diminished self-confidence, and elevated anxiety levels. These factors contribute to inconsistent shooting performance. This study attempted to identify the archer's anxiety status during the training isolation period on the shooting performance. A total of 32 participants from the recurve archery category were recruited and enrolled in a web-based cross-sectional study during the MCO. The CSAI-2R instrument was applied to participants to examine the psychological aspect. Training Isolation resulted in a significant effect on anxiety status and shooting performance. Analysis from CSAI-2R, low-level archers, indicated 5% more anxiety than top-level archers for both cognitive and somatic anxiety sub-component. In contrast, Top archers revealed a higher self-confidence mean of 2.32 (moderately high) than low archers (1.38). The result shows improvement in anxiety and score performance with complete online monitoring and coaching supervision first session until the 8th session. These findings could assist sports institutions in improving a better training experience and understanding the pandemic's impact on athletes' mental health during home isolation. © 2023, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.

Correlates of mental health on online distance learning during COVID-19 among Malaysia vocational students

The declaration of the movement control order (MCO) in Malaysia has led to the closure of the education sector due to pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The teaching and learning (T&L) structure shifted from conventional classroom education to fully online distance learning (ODL). The unprecedented experience of 'home quarantine' has multifaced impacts on students' mental health. The study aimed to obtain the correlation of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students' depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) in fully implementing online distance learning. A survey study was used using a quantitative approach and respondent was evaluated by the depression anxiety stress scale-21 (DASS-21). Understudy's t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were utilized to investigate the relationship between these perspectives. Analysis from the DASS-21 inventory revealed that 30% had severe or extremely severe depression, 41% anxiety, and 20% stress among the vocational students. Anxiety showed a hugely significant difference among genders and the department compared to depression and stress. Therefore, the finding suggests that some intervention must ensure online distance learning is conveniently accessible and congenial with practical work for the vocational student syllabus. © 2022, Intelektual Pustaka Media Utama. All rights reserved.