Changes in Motivation, Socialization, Wellness and Mental Health in Youth Long-Distance Runners During Covid-19 Social Distancing Restrictions
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13130277 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David M Bazett-Jones (0000-0001-9146-5011, University of Toledo, corresponding author), Micah C Garcia (0000-0002-6892-1944, University of Toledo), Jeffery A Taylor‐haa (0000-0003-3817-1465, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center), Jason Long (0000-0002-2072-9910, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center), Mitchell J Rauh (0000-0002-5989-0306, San Diego State University), Mark V Paterno (0000-0003-2997-5023, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center), Kevin R Ford (0000-0001-5402-6845, High Point University) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 3 |
| Pages | 696264-696264 |
| Publication date | 2021-09-06 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fspor.2021.696264 |
| PMID | 34553139 |
| OpenAlex | W3198695766 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 42 |
Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the sporting and exercise activities of millions of youth. Running is an activity that could be maintained while social distancing restrictions were implemented during the pandemic. However, a recent study has indicated that youth runners reported lower running distance, frequency, and intensity during COVID-19. The reason for this reduction and the impact on overall well-being is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the social distancing restrictions during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic influenced running motives, socialization, wellness and mental health in youth long-distance runners. Methods: A customized, open online questionnaire was provided to runners 9–19 years of age who participated in long-distance running activities including team/club cross-country, track and field (distances ≥800 m), road races, or recreational running. Participants responded to questions about demographics, motive for running, and wellness (sleep quality, anxiety, running enjoyment, food consumption quality) 6-months before as well as during social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19. Wilcoxon signed rank tests compared differences for ratio data and Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions before and during COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 287 youth long-distance runners (male = 124, female = 162, unspecified = 1; age = 15.3 ± 1.7 years; running experience = 5.0 ± 2.3 years) participated. Compared to their pre-COVID-19 responses, youth long-distance runners reported lower overall motivation to run ( p < 0.001) and changes to most motive rankings ( p < 0.001 to p = 0.71). The proportion of youth running alone increased during COVID-19 (65.8%) compared to pre-COVID-19 (13.8%, p < 0.001). Youth long-distance runners also reported less running enjoyment ( p = 0.001), longer sleep duration ( p < 0.001), lower sleep quality ( p = 0.05), more anxiety ( p = 0.043), and lower food quality consumed ( p < 0.001) during COVID-19 social distance restrictions. Conclusion: The COVID-19 social distancing restrictions resulted in significant decreases in motivation and enjoyment of running. The removal of competition and team-based interactions likely had a role in these decreases for this population. Continuing team-based activities (e.g., virtual) during social distancing may help with maintaining motivation of youth long-distance runners. Reduced running occurred concurrently with reduced overall well-being of youth long-distance runners during the COVID-19 pandemic
Club · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Mental health · Pandemic · Political science · Psychiatry · Recreation · Social distance · Socialization · Applied Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Sleep and related disorders · Social Psychology
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| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2022 - 2025 (4) |
| Highly cited | No |