What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Mental health during COVID-19 isolation (n=571). Intervention: Professional athlete status vs. Non-athletes. Primary outcome: Depression and anxiety symptoms (p=<0.05).

August 8, 2020

The effect of isolation on athletes’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Professional athlete status was associated with significantly lower depression and anxiety symptoms compared to non-athletes during the COVID-19 isolation period (p < 0.05).

Key Result

Professional athlete status was associated with significantly lower depression and anxiety symptoms compared to non-athletes during the COVID-19 isolation period (p < 0.05).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=571)

Structured PICO

Does being an athlete improve mental health status during COVID-19 isolation compared to non-athletes?

Population

571 participants (372 males, 199 females) aged 18-38, including athletes engaged in team or individual sports and non-athletes.

Intervention

Being an athlete (team or individual sports)

Comparator

Non-athletes

Outcome

Mental health status measured by Depression - Anxiety - Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R)patient reported

Athletes exhibited better mental health status with lower depression and anxiety symptoms compared to non-athletes during the COVID-19 isolation period.

Main Result

p-value: p=<0.05

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether the mental health status of professional athletes was affected by the isolation period in which organized sports were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A total of 612 volunteers between the ages of 18-38 enrolled in the study, 418 of them were athletes engaged in team sports or individual sports and 194 of them were non-athletes. Participants completed the Depression - Anxiety - Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21), the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) and International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ). Non-parametric methods were used for comparisons between groups. The presence of a linear relationship was tested with the Spearman Correlation Test. A value of p 0.05). There was a negative correlation between physical activity level and mental health symptoms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mental health status of athletes was better than non-athletes, and the positive effect of sport, which was done until the break due to the isolation period, on mental health continued. These findings show that physical activity may help to protect mental health.

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Cite This Study

Şenışık et al. (Sat,) conducted a cross-sectional in Mental health during COVID-19 isolation (n=571). Professional athlete status vs. Non-athletes was evaluated on Depression and anxiety symptoms (p=<0.05). Professional athlete status was associated with significantly lower depression and anxiety symptoms compared to non-athletes during the COVID-19 isolation period (p < 0.05).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a100f595725bbd5cc6073c2 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2020.1807297

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