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A Moderated Mediation Analysis of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Well-Being and Sport Readiness of Italian Team Sports Players: The Role of Perceived Safety of the Training Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Vitali

    (Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy)

  • Elisa Bisagno

    (Department of Law, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy)

  • Marinella Coco

    (Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Alessia Cadamuro

    (Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Modena, Italy)

  • Nelson Mauro Maldonato

    (Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy)

  • Donatella Di Corrado

    (Department of Sport Sciences, Kore University, Cittadella Universitaria, 94100 Enna, Italy)

Abstract

Background: The protective restrictions (e.g., lockdowns, quarantines, social and physical distancing) consequent to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 posited new challenges to athletes practicing competitive team sports. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being and sports readiness to train and to compete of competitive female and male athletes practicing outdoor (i.e., rugby, soccer) and indoor (i.e., volleyball, basketball) team sports who were active during the Italian first and second waves of COVID-19. Methods: An online survey assessing demographic characteristics, perceived safety of the training environment, COVID-19 risk, fear of COVID-19, well-being, and sport (training and competition) readiness was administered to 619 team sports players. We examined differences by gender, previous COVID-19 experience, and team sport setting (i.e., outdoor vs. indoor). A moderated mediation analysis was conducted to assess the impact of perceived COVID-19 risk and fear of COVID-19 on athletes’ well-being and sports readiness, using perceived safety of the training environment as a mediator and gender and sport setting as moderators. Results: Indoor team sports and female athletes showed higher perceived COVID-19 risk, while athletes with no-COVID-19 experience reported higher fear of COVID-19. Perceived COVID-19 risk (directly and via perceived safety of the training environment) and fear of COVID-19 were negatively associated with athletes’ well-being and sports readiness. Conclusions: This study highlighted an understanding of the psychological implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the role of the perceived safety of the training environment on athletes’ well-being and sports readiness. Future studies may advance safety-based interventions to promote well-being and a safer return to sport.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Vitali & Elisa Bisagno & Marinella Coco & Alessia Cadamuro & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Donatella Di Corrado, 2022. "A Moderated Mediation Analysis of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Well-Being and Sport Readiness of Italian Team Sports Players: The Role of Perceived Safety of the Training Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2764-:d:759980
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alessandra di Cagno & Andrea Buonsenso & Francesca Baralla & Elisa Grazioli & Giulia Di Martino & Edoardo Lecce & Giuseppe Calcagno & Giovanni Fiorilli, 2020. "Psychological Impact of the Quarantine-Induced Stress during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak among Italian Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Achraf Ammar & Hamdi Chtourou & Omar Boukhris & Khaled Trabelsi & Liwa Masmoudi & Michael Brach & Bassem Bouaziz & Ellen Bentlage & Daniella How & Mona Ahmed & Patrick Mueller & Notger Mueller & Hsen , 2020. "COVID-19 Home Confinement Negatively Impacts Social Participation and Life Satisfaction: A Worldwide Multicenter Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, August.
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