Original scientific paper
THE EARLY PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG YOUNG SWIMMERS DURING HOME CONFINEMENT
Gamze Ungur
; Faculty of Sport Sciences Dokuz Eylul University ,Izmir, Turkey
Cengiz Karagozoglu
; Faculty of Sport Sciences, Marmara University ,Istanbul, Turkey
Abstract
Background: During the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, few studies have focused on sport samples. The aim of the study was to
investigate the early psychological impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak among young swimmers.
Subjects and methods: The sample comprised 429 swimmers (229 boys, 200 girls, mean age 13.88+-1,71) from Turkey , with a
mean competitive sport experience of 5.22 years. A personal information form was administered to collect data regarding
demographics, sport-related experience, and home confinement effects, along with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).
Results: During the first 30 days of home confinement, the swimmer's general BAI scores were low, with only 10 percent
showing moderate or severe anxiety levels. Girl swimmers had significantly higher anxiety levels than boys. Girl swimmers also
reported positive and negative change in their relationship with their parents and expected closer help from their parents. The 14-15
year age group had significantly higher anxiety levels than the other age groups. The lack of pool training was associated with the
swimmer's anxiety.
Conclusions: Improving athlete-parent interaction and providing coping programs for adolescent athletes may help to reduce
anxiety and other negative effects of home confinement during COVID-19.
Keywords
adolescent athletes; anxiety; coronavirus
Hrčak ID:
272990
URI
Publication date:
8.2.2022.
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