Key result
Returning to sports in 2021 was associated with significantly lower anxiety scores compared to 2020 sports cancellations (4.9 vs 7.0, p<0.001), alongside improvements in depression and QOL.
Why the study?
Changes in mental health, quality of life, and physical activity among adolescent athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic as organised sports resumed remained to be evaluated.
Does returning to organized sports improve mental health, quality of life, and physical activity in adolescent athletes following COVID-19 restrictions?
Population
17 421 adolescent athletes
Comparison
Post-cancellations in May 2020 (Spring20) vs after returning to sports in May 2021 (Spring21)
Design
Propensity score-weighted survey study
Authors
Loading...
May support sports resumption to ease athlete anxiety; leaves open causal confirmation via prospective trials.
Observational (n=17,421)
Does returning to organized sports improve mental health, quality of life, and physical activity in adolescent athletes following COVID-19 restrictions?
Absolute Event Rate: 4.9% vs 7%
p-value: p=<0.001
Returning to organized sports after COVID-19 restrictions was associated with significant improvements in mental health, quality of life, and physical activity among adolescent athletes.
Watson et al. (2022) conducted an observational in Mental health and quality of life in adolescent athletes during COVID-19 (n=17,421). Returning to sports (Spring 2021) vs. COVID-19-related sport cancellations (Spring 2020) was evaluated on Anxiety score (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder) (p=<0.001). Returning to sports in 2021 was associated with significantly lower anxiety scores compared to 2020 sports cancellations (4.9 vs 7.0, p<0.001), alongside improvements in depression and QOL.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: