What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: High-performance athletes (n=556). Intervention: Post-lockdown (after confinement) vs. During lockdown (during confinement). Primary outcome: High level of physical activity (p=<0.0001).

What does this research mean for the field?

Following the COVID-19 lockdown, high-performance athletes significantly increased their high levels of physical activity (from 63.1% to 89.4%) and decreased sedentary behavior (from 86% to 57.9%), which was accompanied by significant improvements in mental health. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

July 27, 2025Open Access

From physical activity to sedentary behavior: the COVID-19 lockdown and mental health in high-performance athletes

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

After the COVID-19 lockdown, high-performance athletes significantly increased their high level of physical activity from 63.1% to 89.4% and decreased sedentary behavior from 86% to 57.9%.

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Following the COVID-19 lockdown, high-performance athletes significantly increased their high levels of physical activity (from 63.1% to 89.4%) and decreased sedentary behavior (from 86% to 57.9%), which was accompanied by significant improvements in mental health. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

GNGeorgina Mayela Núñez‐RochaUniversidad Autónoma de Nuevo León WPWendy Jakeline Platas-ValadezUniversidad Autónoma de Nuevo León GCGuillermo Cano‐VerdugoUniversidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

Key Result

After the COVID-19 lockdown, high-performance athletes significantly increased their high level of physical activity from 63.1% to 89.4% and decreased sedentary behavior from 86% to 57.9%.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=556)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does the COVID-19 lockdown affect physical activity, sedentary behavior, and mental health in high-performance athletes?

Population

556 high-performance athletes (HPAs) from a public university in Northeastern Mexico, aged 18-34 years, actively competing at national/international level. Mean age 19.5 years, 50.2% male.

Intervention

COVID-19 lockdown (confinement)

Comparator

Post-lockdown period (after confinement)

Outcome

Physical activity, sedentary behavior (measured by IPAQ), and mental health (measured by POMS)patient reported

The COVID-19 lockdown significantly impacted physical activity and mental health in high-performance athletes, with notable improvements and reductions in sedentary behavior observed post-confinement.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 89.4% vs 63.1%

p-value: p=<0.0001

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Potential for recall bias since participants had to remember their levels of physical activity and mental health during confinement
Scarcity of prior studies on the analyzed variables due to the unexpected nature of the pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted high-performance athletes (HPAs) by affecting their training and participation in competitions due to cancellations. The aim of this study is to analyze HPAs' physical activity, sedentary behavior, and mental health during and after the COVID-19 lockdown while considering sex and type of sport. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A repeated-measures observational study with a census sampling approach (N = 556) HPAs from a public university in Mexico. Informed consent was obtained, and a survey was administered in person and online. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and mental health was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Percentages, means, standard deviations, Student's t-test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were analyzed. RESULTS: = 20.37, p < 0.0001). Moreover, 86% exhibited sedentary behavior during confinement, which decreased to 57.9% afterward (p < 0.00001). No significant differences were found considering sex or type of sport. Regarding mental health, significant improvements were observed in all dimensions by sex and type of sport (p < 0.05), except for the vigor dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The lockdown impacted HPAs' physical activity levels and mental health. After confinement, athletes increased their levels of vigorous physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior, reflecting adaptation to the new circumstances. Mental health indicators improved post-lockdown, although differences by sex and type of sport persisted in certain aspects.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Núñez‐Rocha et al. (Sun,) conducted a observational in High-performance athletes (n=556). Post-lockdown (after confinement) vs. During lockdown (during confinement) was evaluated on High level of physical activity (p=<0.0001). After the COVID-19 lockdown, high-performance athletes significantly increased their high level of physical activity from 63.1% to 89.4% and decreased sedentary behavior from 86% to 57.9%.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a186552847b24d9231ebd5e https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00251-0

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: