Changes in Motivation, Socialization, Wellness and Mental Health in Youth Long-Distance Runners During COVID-19 Social Distancing Restrictions

Abstract

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the sporting and exercise activities of millions of youth. Running is an activity that could be maintained while social distancing restrictions were implemented during the pandemic. However, a recent study has indicated that youth runners reported lower running distance, frequency, and intensity during COVID-19. The reason for this reduction and the impact on overall well-being is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the social distancing restrictions during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic influenced running motives, socialization, wellness and mental health in youth long-distance runners.Methods: A customized, open online questionnaire was provided to runners 9–19 years of age who participated in long-distance running activities including team/club cross-country, track and field (distances ≥800 m), road races, or recreational running. Participants responded to questions about demographics, motive for running, and wellness (sleep quality, anxiety, running enjoyment, food consumption quality) 6-months before as well as during social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19. Wilcoxon signed rank tests compared differences for ratio data and Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions before and during COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: A total of 287 youth long-distance runners (male = 124, female = 162, unspecified = 1; age = 15.3 ± 1.7 years; running experience = 5.0 ± 2.3 years) participated. Compared to their pre-COVID-19 responses, youth long-distance runners reported lower overall motivation to run (p < 0.001) and changes to most motive rankings (p < 0.001 to p = 0.71). The proportion of youth running alone increased during COVID-19 (65.8%) compared to pre-COVID-19 (13.8%, p < 0.001). Youth long-distance runners also reported less running enjoyment (p = 0.001), longer sleep duration (p < 0.001), lower sleep quality (p = 0.05), more anxiety (p = 0.043), and lower food quality consumed (p < 0.001) during COVID-19 social distance restrictions.Conclusion: The COVID-19 social distancing restrictions resulted in significant decreases in motivation and enjoyment of running. The removal of competition and team-based interactions likely had a role in these decreases for this population. Continuing team-based activities (e.g., virtual) during social distancing may help with maintaining motivation of youth long-distance runners. Reduced running occurred concurrently with reduced overall well-being of youth long-distance runners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Motivation and Eco-Attitudes among Night Runners during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our study confirms that among runners who had had COVID-19, affiliation was not a significant factor, which was also reflected in the findings by DeJong and colleagues [19]. The health benefits of running, on the other hand, remained a strong motivator, and in fact strengthened after COVID-19 developed, as confirmed by our study in addition to other studies [33].…”

“…In addition, it is an activity that has been able to be sustained while social distancing restrictions were being introduced during the pandemic. However, a study conducted on a group of adolescent runners aged 9-19 years found that the social distance constraints of COVID-19, including restrictions on competition or team interaction, resulted in a significant decrease in motivation and enjoyment of running [33]. Such results are confirmed by many other studies, showing that the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are apparent in various social groups, and the lack of motivation behind engaging in any activity, apart from symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, is one of the most common causes of its occurrence [34][35][36][37][38].…”

Impact of COVID on Sports Injury Patterns, Changes in Mental Well-Being, and Strategies to Prepare for Future Pandemics in Sport

“…The authors declare no conflict of interest and do not have any financial disclosures. Nutritional balance (81,88) Ensure adequate nutritional intake to combat infection; Encourage personal tracking of dietary intake of macro and micronutrients especially vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate) and other elements (i.e., zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper), which can modulate viral infection course; focus on healthy food patterns and maintenance of normal meals and time of consumption. e.g., Minimize deviations from healthy eating patterns (avoid consumption of foods with high saturated fat, high sugar content) and obtain high intake of fiber, whole grains, unsaturated fats, and antioxidants using phone tracking apps or food logs; avoid eating large meals late at night.…”

“…In addition, cancellation of public events, such as running races, contributed to lack of motivation to run, worry about changes in training on different surfaces, and loneliness without supportive runners to participate with (11). Even young athletes experienced these mood changes, reduction in well-being, and loss of motivation, as observed in long-distance runners (81).…”

The role of professional socialisation in reducing drug-related problems during COVID-19: a new insight for future pandemics

“…Further, many countries relied on telemedicine and remote pharmaceutical services for healthcare delivery [ 9 ]. Consequently, professional socialisation was significantly impacted, for there were restrictive measures on visiting offices [ 10 ]. Given that the probability of contracting the COVID-19 infection is remarkably higher in the healthcare workplaces than in other places, the pandemic has a larger influence on professional socialisation in healthcare than in other professions.…”