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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

Author

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  • 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
    Institute of Sport Science, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
    Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UPL, Paris Nanterre University, 92000 Nanterre, France)

  • Khaled Trabelsi

    (High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
    Research Laboratory: Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, EM2S, LR19JS01, 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
    These authors contributed equally to this work as last author.)

  • Carl James

    (Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
    These authors contributed equally to this work as last author.)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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 & Carl James, 2021. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:402-:d:714928
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    References listed on IDEAS

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