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Prevalence and Risk Factors of Psychiatric Symptoms among Swiss Elite Athletes during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Stefan Fröhlich

    (Sports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
    University Centre for Prevention and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Christian Imboden

    (Private Clinic Wyss AG, CH-3053 Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland)

  • Samuel Iff

    (Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Jörg Spörri

    (Sports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
    University Centre for Prevention and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Boris B. Quednow

    (Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Johannes Scherr

    (Sports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
    University Centre for Prevention and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Erich Seifritz

    (Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Malte C. Claussen

    (Private Clinic Wyss AG, CH-3053 Münchenbuchsee, Switzerland
    Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland
    Psychiatric Services Grisons, CH-7000 Chur, Switzerland)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated first lockdown measures may have had a relevant impact on the mental health of competitive athletes. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of various mental health issues in a Swiss elite athletes’ cohort during the first lockdown of the pandemic, and to assess their association with different potential risk factors. Elite athletes from different disciplines were interviewed during the first lockdown in spring 2020 by means of an online questionnaire on symptoms of existing anxieties, depression and sleep disorders, as well as on training circumstances and physical performance before and during the lockdown. Additionally, the economic situation, secondary occupations and current physical health problems were surveyed. A total of 203 (92 female, 111 male) athletes met the inclusion criteria and participated in the survey. Training volume and intensity decreased significantly during lockdown from 3.1 to 2.7 h/day. Financial existential fears increased and were associated with higher training volumes and higher trait anxiety scores. Depressive symptoms and insomnia were present but not exceptionally frequent during the lockdown. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher anxiety scores, higher insomnia severity scores, lower training intensity and worse coping with the measures taken by the authorities against the pandemic. Changes in training and daily habits due to the first lockdown may have affected the mental health of elite athletes. Longitudinal studies should, however, further investigate the long-term effects of the pandemic on mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Fröhlich & Christian Imboden & Samuel Iff & Jörg Spörri & Boris B. Quednow & Johannes Scherr & Erich Seifritz & Malte C. Claussen, 2021. "Prevalence and Risk Factors of Psychiatric Symptoms among Swiss Elite Athletes during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10780-:d:655989
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maria Rosaria Gualano & Giuseppina Lo Moro & Gianluca Voglino & Fabrizio Bert & Roberta Siliquini, 2020. "Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown on Mental Health and Sleep Disturbances in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Robert Stanton & Quyen G. To & Saman Khalesi & Susan L. Williams & Stephanie J. Alley & Tanya L. Thwaite & Andrew S. Fenning & Corneel Vandelanotte, 2020. "Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
    3. Anders Håkansson & Karin Moesch & Caroline Jönsson & Göran Kenttä, 2020. "Potentially Prolonged Psychological Distress from Postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games during COVID-19—Career Uncertainty in Elite Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-9, December.
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    1. Gaia Sampogna & Maurizio Pompili & Andrea Fiorillo, 2021. "Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Worldwide Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-5, December.

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