Influence of Korean professional male basketball players’ characteristics on preventive health behaviors during COVID-19

Abstract

Background and objective: The whole world is suffering extensive damage from COVID-19, and even the world of sports cannot escape this situation. Preventive behavior against COVID-19 is crucial to minimizing this damage. Therefore, this study analyzed data examining preventive behaviors of all Korean professional basketball players, providing empirical evidence of the relationship between preventive health behavior and Big-5 factors depending on socio-demographic variables. Material and methods: Using an online survey, data were collected from 106 players registered with the Korean Basketball League in the 2019-2020 season. Results: Married players and those with more years of experience were more thorough in managing injuries and preventing infections. Among the Big-5 personality traits, conscientiousness had a significant effect on COVID-19 prevention and health management behavior. Players low on neuroticism demonstrated higher performance in terms of injury management behavior. Conclusions: These results provide critical insight regarding the preventive health behavior of professional sports players. The findings can serve as basic data for enhancing COVID-19 preventive behavior of male basketball players, and as a reference for a decrease in damage in professional sports leagues from COVID-19 and normal management and maintenance.