The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on martial arts athletes

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The study analyzes the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the elite athletes practicing martial arts both in terms of fear and intolerance of uncertainty. Methods of research 30 athletes practicing martial arts participated in this study 10- pankration, 10- judo and 10 - wrestling, aged from 15 to 35 years. The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the elite martial arts athletes was assessed from the perspective of the two scales (Fear Scale and Intolerance Scale) obtained from Research Central. The Fear Scale related to Covid-19 includes 7 items and was created by Ahorsu et al. (2020). The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale - short form - includes 12 items. Thus, the prospective anxiety and inhibitory anxiety were calculated. The athletes were assessed through the two scales, in a single ascertaining stage. Results: Regarding the Fear of Covid-19 Scale (the reference range is between 7 and 35), the results indicate an increased fear of Covid-19 most athletes had results over 25. In the case of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (reference ranges from 12 to 28), the athletes obtained scores between moderate tolerance to uncertainty and increased tolerance to uncertainty (namely scores from 28 to 60). As for the two factors resulting from this scale the prospective anxiety - the scores ranged from 25 to 38;for the second factor - inhibitory anxiety - the scores ranged from 19 to 35, which shows a prospective anxiety and a moderate to high inhibitory anxiety. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most important sources of current uncertainty in the physical and mental health of the athletes and of the entire population too. The results of the study provided relevant information about the fear of Covid-19 pandemic and of intolerance of uncertainty as well. Thanks to this information, the athletes were offered methods to cope with the pandemic period, such as relaxation techniques and breathing techniques meant to optimize and improve sports performance.