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International Research Journal of Tamil

Vol. 4 No. 3 (2022): Volume 4, Issue 3, Year 2022
Articles

Impact of COVID Lockdown on Mental Health of Elite Athletes – A Status Study

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  • Senthil Kumar S,
  • Akila Shanmuga Sundaram,
  • Thilagavathi Shanmuga Sundaram R
Senthil Kumar S
Department of Physical Education, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641046, Tamil Nadu, India.
Akila Shanmuga Sundaram
Department of Physical Education, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641046, Tamil Nadu, India.
Thilagavathi Shanmuga Sundaram R
Retired Headmistress, Tamil Pandit, Coimbatore-641046, Tamil Nadu, India
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/irjt2233



Published 2022-06-11

Keywords

  • Elite Athletes,
  • Stress,
  • Psychology,
  • Covid Lockdown

How to Cite

S, S. K., Shanmuga Sundaram, A. ., & R, T. S. S. (2022). Impact of COVID Lockdown on Mental Health of Elite Athletes – A Status Study. International Research Journal of Tamil, 4(3), 21-27. https://doi.org/10.34256/irjt2233

Copyright (c) 2022

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Covid lockdown upset the whole globe to a stunning shock. Never in life had we ever faced such a crisis, complete lockdown, which all led to lonely untouchable deaths, sickness, isolation, quarantine finally ended up in disordered mental health. Though there is an increased awareness of health and using the need to stay fit, the lockdown restrictions don’t pay space for it. If this is the case for the typical athletes who dedicate their entire life, investing time, body, mind and soul into the athletic performance, have completely dislodged routines. A layman’s eyes may find a sportsman's life a fun-filled, excited, easy go. But it’s not the true colour. Ambitious and amateurish life in training has changed to a cloudy future feared min set. This study aimed to determine the mental health status of elite athletes during the covid lockdown. To cosnduct the study, data was collected through google form using Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Out of the 374 athletes who responded, 218  athletes (58.29%) were in extreme stress almost all the time during the covid lockdown. Thus it is concluded that in this situation, coaches and sports psychologists have to create awareness about the lockdown, contact athletes and counsel them. Athletes are the pride of every nation and need to recover from psychological setbacks. So, it is. The need of the hour is to design the best training programme suitable and possible during lockdown to protect their skills and abilities. Even from these minds, our national athletes need to recover from psychological setbacks. So, we must find the best training method for them and protect their skills.

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