The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Elite Athletes, Management Strategies and Post-pandemic Performance Expectations: A Semi Structured Interview Study


TİNGAZ E. O.

IJERI: International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation, cilt.15, ss.73-81, 2020 (ESCI) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 15
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.46661/ijeri.4863
  • Dergi Adı: IJERI: International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Directory of Open Access Journals, DIALNET
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.73-81
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, elite athlete, pandemic, post-pandemic performance expectations, psychological impact, Sports
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This article investigates the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elite athletes, their management strategies, and their post-pandemic performance expectations. Based on a purposive and snowball sampling technique, 18 elite athletes were interviewed online. The questioning involved their thoughts, emotions, and behavior in the pandemic period. Most athletes have concerns regarding the future (31.5%) and have increased self-awareness (26.3%). 40% of athletes have nonetheless been struggling with anxiety, with 40.47% of them doing physical training at home, while 33.33% engage in mental training. In addition, 72.22% of athletes expect poorer post-pandemic athletic performance. Most elite athletes have accordingly been suffering anxiety as a result of worry about both the current situation and post-situation performance and the sports environment then. By and large, they have been able to manage the situation by doing physical and mental training at home. Most anticipate diminished athletic performance after they return to the field.