Esben Elholm Madsen1,2,3, Peter Krustrup2,4, Carsten Hvid Larsen1, Anne-Marie Elbe3, Johan Michael Wikman5, Andreas Ivarsson5, Franziska Lautenbach3,6. 1. Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 2. Department of Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychomotor Therapy, University College Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. Leipzig University, Faculty of Sport Science, Institute of Sport Psychology and Physical Education, Germany. 4. Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. 5. School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden. 6. Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Institute of Sport Science, Sport Psychology, Germany.
Abstract
Background: In Denmark, the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown resulted in a compact season finisher for elite footballers, potentially impacting their mental health.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the protective role of resilience and the impeding role of trait anxiety on elite footballers' level and variability of well-being and emotional stability.Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five male elite-level players (Mage = 25.04 ± 4.82) completed baseline measures on trait anxiety and resilience. Additionally, well-being and positive and negative affect were assessed before games (n = 24) over 62 days. Separate two-level regression analysis using Bayesian statistics was conducted to test potential relationships. Results: Results show a credible positive relationship between the average level of well-being and within-person variability over time as well as the average level in positive affect. This indicates that resilience might be a protector for mental health. In addition, higher levels of trait anxiety (i.e., subscale concentration disruption) were associated with higher levels of negative affect and higher variability over time. This indicates that trait anxiety might facilitate negative affect. No other credible relationships were found. Conclusion: High resilience and low trait anxiety are identified as relevant factors for mental health within elite footballers during COVID-19. Implications for practice are discussed.
Background: In Denmark, the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown resulted in a compact season finisher for elite footballers, potentially impacting their mental health.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the protective role of resilience and the impeding role of trait anxiety on elite footballers' level and variability of well-being and emotional stability.Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five male elite-level players (Mage = 25.04 ± 4.82) completed baseline measures on trait anxiety and resilience. Additionally, well-being and positive and negative affect were assessed before games (n = 24) over 62 days. Separate two-level regression analysis using Bayesian statistics was conducted to test potential relationships. Results: Results show a credible positive relationship between the average level of well-being and within-person variability over time as well as the average level in positive affect. This indicates that resilience might be a protector for mental health. In addition, higher levels of trait anxiety (i.e., subscale concentration disruption) were associated with higher levels of negative affect and higher variability over time. This indicates that trait anxiety might facilitate negative affect. No other credible relationships were found. Conclusion: High resilience and low trait anxiety are identified as relevant factors for mental health within elite footballers during COVID-19. Implications for practice are discussed.
Authors: Giulia My; Santo Marsigliante; Antonino Bianco; Daniele Zangla; Carlos Marques da Silva; Antonella Muscella Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-26 Impact factor: 3.390