Physical and mental health of elite swimmers after long-term quarantine of Corona Virus

As a pandemic, Covid-19 has had extensive effects on the physical and mental health of society and athletes. This study aimed to compare the physical and mental health profiles of elite female swimmers from the pre to post-COVID-19 Confinement period in elite female swimmers in Mashhad.

Twenty-seven swimmers were assessed pre to post-COVID (between 2 years). Perceived physical fitness (body condition, flexibility, muscle condition and body composition), physical fitness level, and psychological profile of swimmers were measured. The paired t-test was utilized to determine if differences existed before and after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Participants showed increased depression (p= 0.001), anxiety (p= 0.024), stress (p= 0.001), Loneliness (p= 0.001), and BMI (p= 0.001) and significant decreases in IPAQ-SF (p= 0.023), and Subscales and total score of perceived physical fitness (p= 0.001) after 2 years at the end of the quarantine period.

The results of the present study showed that the decrease in physical activity level during the Covid-19 epidemic could have negative effects on the psychological profile and BMI in professional athletes. Therefore, the specific planning should be considered by the coaches and sports planners of the professional and national teams to safely maintain the level of physical activity.