Exploring the Perceived Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Social Distancing Measures on Athlete Wellbeing: A Qualitative Study Utilising Photo-Elicitation

Abstract

Countries all over the globe have implemented mandatory social distancing measures in an attempt to suppress and control the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This enforced period of isolation, disruption to normal training routines and competition cancellation, could be having an adverse effect on the mental health and wellbeing of athletes. This study sought to explore the perceived impact of the COVID-19 social distancing measures on athlete wellbeing. Fourteen elite athletes who were unable to train or compete due to government imposed lockdown measures were recruited to participate in this qualitative study. Utilising the photo elicitation method, participants were asked to take a series of photographs that represented their experiences as athletes living in lockdown. These photographs were used to guide discussions in follow up unstructured interviews. Reflexive inductive thematic analysis identified three main themes that captured athletes’ experience of social distancing measures and the implications for their wellbeing: (1) threats to wellbeing; (2) adapting routines and maintaining motivation; and (3) reflecting on participation in competitive elite sport. The initial sudden loss of sport in the athlete’s lives posed a threat to their wellbeing, but over the duration of the lockdown period the athletes developed numerous strategies to protect their wellbeing. Furthermore, their time away from sport encouraged them to reflect on their athletic identity and to make life changes that would protect their wellbeing during the rest of the lockdown period and when they returned to sport. A number of immediate practical recommendations are offered for athlete support personnel working with athletes during the crisis, these include developing self-care strategies and social networks, adapting routines, setting new goals and encouraging the pursuit of dual-careers. Future research is encouraged to investigate how practitioners can deliver effective psychological support through tele-consulting, and to consider whether their support is best focused on therapeutic counselling or mental skills training during the pandemic.

Training Conditions and Emotional Impact on Spanish Olympic Swimmers and Rowers in Social Isolation Due to COVID-19. Results of a Survey

“…Social distancing is another potential stressor due to the home confinement caused by COVID-19 [20]. Reduced social relationships and companionship in sports practice is associated with a longer period of sedentary activities and reduced well-being [29][30][31]. In addition, due to confinement, athletes perceived a deprivation of personal contact with their coaches and psychological support, and symptoms of mental illness such as stress and depression have thereby increased [32][33][34][35].…”

The journey so far: professional sport during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Athletes returning to training and competition post lockdown were often grateful for the opportunity to resume sport. However, many informed us they were nervous about becoming infected by the virus (either personally or their family), while others expressed concern about the ‘bubble’ environment they had to endure, in many cases entailing significant isolation from their families 12. Collaborative return to sport guidelines were produced to advise athletes, coaches and sports organisations on adapting and applying public health principles to the sport-specific context 13…”

Spanish Pre-Olympic Athletes’ Motivations and Barriers to Pursuing Dual Career as a Function of Sociodemographic, Sport and Academic Variables

“…In this sense, it is especially important to evaluate the environment in which the dual career is carried out, since previous research has shown that public and private sports centers and education centers offer different possibilities of development to dual career athletes, which is a determining factor for the athletic and academic development of the student-athlete ( Mejías et al, 2021 ). This is even more true after the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, as previous studies have shown that the student-athletes’ perception of the importance and barriers to dual career success changed after the pandemic, affecting their academic and athletic preferences ( Abenza-Cano et al, 2020 ; Izzicupo et al, 2021 ; Woodford and Bussey, 2021 ). This situation produced changes in the lifestyle of these student-athletes, who had to establish new personal goals, adapt their daily routines and grant more importance to their dual career ( Woodford and Bussey, 2021 ), which was reflected in increased study hours and a lower intention to continue with their sports career once they finished their studies, as compared to athletes who completed their dual career before the pandemic ( Abenza-Cano et al, 2020 ).…”

“…This is even more true after the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, as previous studies have shown that the student-athletes’ perception of the importance and barriers to dual career success changed after the pandemic, affecting their academic and athletic preferences ( Abenza-Cano et al, 2020 ; Izzicupo et al, 2021 ; Woodford and Bussey, 2021 ). This situation produced changes in the lifestyle of these student-athletes, who had to establish new personal goals, adapt their daily routines and grant more importance to their dual career ( Woodford and Bussey, 2021 ), which was reflected in increased study hours and a lower intention to continue with their sports career once they finished their studies, as compared to athletes who completed their dual career before the pandemic ( Abenza-Cano et al, 2020 ).…”