Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Behavior, Perception of Threat, Stress and Training Patterns of Olympic and Paralympic Athletes.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent confinement on behaviors, perception of threat, stress, state of mind and training patterns among Olympic and Paralympic level athletes. METHODS: Data gathering was performed utilizing an online questionnaire during imposed confinement. A correlational design with incidental sampling for convenience was used. All the variables were analyzed by age, gender, academic training, type of participation and sport specialty on a population composed of 447 Olympic (age: 26.0 ± 7.5 years) and 64 Paralympic (age: 28.4 ± 10.5 years) athletes. RESULTS: The athletes trained more than twice as many hours before than during confinement. Most of the athletes recognized that their best athletic performance diminished due to the COVID-19 confinement but that will recover after the pandemic and its confinements. Almost half of the athletes declared they were more tired than normal and had difficulty sleeping, while more than half ate more or less as usual. Paralympic athletes reported they felt more capable to cope with personal problems and life events and felt less lonely during the confinement than the Olympians. The athletes from team sports reported to be more affected in their training routine than athletes of individual sports, seeing their athletic performance more affected. Athletes in individual sports felt more able to cope with personal problems than athletes in team sports. Female athletes were significantly more tired and reported more difficulty sleeping than male athletes. CONCLUSION: The situation caused by COVID-19 has had significant effects on the behavior, perception of threat, stress and training patterns of Olympic and Paralympic athletes preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It is necessary that sports institutions reinforce mechanisms of help for athletes during future situations of confinement.

Paracanoagem e qualidade de vida: concepções de atletas com deficiência motora de Petrolina ­ PE / Paracanoe and quality of life: concepts of athlets with motor disabilities in Petrolina - PE / Paracanotaje y calidad de vida: concepciones de atletas con discapacidad motora en Petrolina - PE

Objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a concepção de atletas de paracanoagem sobre as relações dessa modalidade paralímpica com a qualidade de vida. A amostra foi composta por 9 pessoas praticantes de paracanoagem com deficiência motora residentes na região de Petrolina ­ PE. Os sujeitos participaram de uma entrevista semiestruturada contendo questões referentes à concepção dos mesmos acerca dos efeitos da prática deste esporte na qualidade de vida. Posteriormente, as entrevistas foram transcritas e submetidas à análise de dados por meio da Análise de Conteúdo, modalidade Temática. Todos os participantes relataram que a prática da paracanoagem influenciou positivamente aspectos representados em oito categorias: sono, equilíbrio corporal, saúde, força muscular, digestão, autoestima, coordenação motora e respiração. Com isso, concluiu-se que a prática da paracanoagem teve influência positiva na qualidade de vida das pessoas com deficiência motora desse estudo.

The objective of the present study was to analyze what perception paracanoe athlets have about the relations of this paralympic sport with life quality. The sample consisted of 9 people with motor disability who live in the region of Petrolina - PE, Brazil. The subjects participated in a semi-structured interview containing questions regarding their conception about the effects of the practice of this sport on life quality. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and subjected to data analysis through Content Analysis, Thematic modality. All participants reported that the practice of paracanoe positively influenced aspects represented in eight categories: sleep, body balance, health, muscle strength, digestion, self-esteem, motor coordination and breathing. Thus, it was concluded that the paracanoe practice had a positive influence on the life quality of the people with motor disabilities in this study.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar el concepto de los atletas paracanotaje sobre las relaciones de este deporte paralímpico con la calidad de vida. La muestra consistió en 9 personas con discapacidad motora que viven en la región de Petrolina - PE. Los sujetos participaron en una entrevista semiestructurada que contenía preguntas sobre su concepción sobre los efectos de la práctica de este deporte en la calidad de vida. Posteriormente, las entrevistas fueron transcritas y sometidas a análisis de datos a través de Análisis de Contenido, modalidad temática. Todos los participantes informaron que la práctica del paracanotaje influyó positivamente en aspectos representados en ocho categorías: sueño, equilibrio corporal, salud, fuerza muscular, digestión, autoestima, coordinación motora y respiración. Por lo tanto, se concluyó que la práctica del paracanotaje tuvo una influencia positiva en la calidad de vida de las personas con discapacidad motora en este estudio.

Perfil sociodemográfico de praticantes de handebol em cadeira de rodas

RESUMO Objetivou-se caracterizar o perfil sociodemográfico de praticantes de handebol em cadeira de rodas (HCR) no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, feito com 105 sujeitos. Aplicou-se um questionário elaborado para o estudo, analisado através de estatística descritiva. Constatou-se que a maioria dos praticantes não exercia atividade laboral e tinha o ensino médio completo. Grande parte dos atletas praticou esportes durante a infância e antes da aquisição da deficiência. Contudo, seus treinamentos acontecem numa frequência inferior ao que se recomenda para esportes de rendimento. Conclui-se que o HCR ainda é um esporte em ascensão e executado de forma amadora no país e necessita de maior fomento.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize the socio-demographic profile of WCH players in Brazil. This is a descriptive study, carried out with 105 players. A questionnaire developed for the study was used and the answers were analyzed through the descriptive statistics. It was found that the most of players had no job and presented the full high school. Most of the players used to play sports during their childhood and before the acquisition of disability. However, their training sessions happens in a lower frequency than that recommended for sports performance. In conclusion, the WCH is still a sport on rising and it has been developing by amateur way in the country and needs further development.

RESUMEN El objetivo fue definir el perfil sociodemográfico de los jugadores de balonmano en silla de ruedas (BSR) de Brasil. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, feito con 105 individuos. Se aplicó un cuestionario elaborado para el estudio y las respuestas se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva. Se constató que la mayoría de los jugadores no ejercía actividad laboral, había completado la enseñanza media, no tenía enfermedades y no hacía uso de un medicamento controlado. Gran parte de los jugadores practicaron deportes durante la infancia y antes de la adquisición de la discapacidad. Sin embargo, sus entrenamientos se producen con una frecuencia inferior a lo que se recomienda para el rendimiento deportivo. Se concluye que el BSR continúa siendo un deporte en ascenso que se juega de forma amateur.