Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and “Bubble” Training Camps

Jad Adrian Washif, Achraf Ammar, Khaled Trabelsi, Karim Chamari, Christabelle Sheau Miin Chong, Siti Fuzyma Ayu Mohd Kassim, Philip Chun Foong Lew, Abdulaziz Farooq, David B. Pyne and Carl James
Additional contact information
Jad Adrian Washif: Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Achraf Ammar: Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
Khaled Trabelsi: High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
Karim Chamari: Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Doha 29222, Qatar
Christabelle Sheau Miin Chong: Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Siti Fuzyma Ayu Mohd Kassim: Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Philip Chun Foong Lew: Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
Abdulaziz Farooq: Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Doha 29222, Qatar
David B. Pyne: Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra 2617, Australia
Carl James: Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a “bubble” training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day “bubble” training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to “normal” training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and “bubble” camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to “normal” training, and trivial to moderate during a “bubble” camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during “bubble” camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (−6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during “bubble” camps (12–18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress ( p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a “bubble” camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, “bubble” camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split “bubble” periods are recommended.

Keywords: detraining; emotion; mental health; Olympic; Paralympic; perception; quarantine; remote coaching; sports nutrition; training camp (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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