The Impacts of COVID-19 on Collegiate Student-Athlete Training, Health, and Well-Being

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 and stay-at-home (SAH) orders on collegiate student-athletes’ training, nutrition, sleep habits, and mental health and to identify disparities between sexes and competitive divisions. Methods: Collegiate student-athletes (n = 401; age, 20 ± 2 yr) completed an 84-question anonymous survey regarding demographics, sport/ exercise training, nutrition, sleep habits, and mental health. Response frequencies were calculated for each question, and χ2 analyses were used to determine statistical significance (α = 0.05). Results: Although 80.7% of respondents indicated training for their sport, only 38.7% could fully perform their training programs. More D1 versus D3 athletes reported they could perform their training plan as written (D1: 44.4% [n = 83] vs D3: 27.3% [n = 50]; P < 0.01), but there were no differences between sexes. Cardiovascular exercise was the most common mode (87.5%) followed by resistance exercise (78.4%). Although there were no differences for cardiovascular exercise, more males (87.5%) than females (74.8%) indicated resistance training (P < 0.01). Average number of meals consumed per day remained similar before and during SAH, but females reported consuming less food and perceived increased healthfulness of their diets. Although most athletes did not use nutritional supplements, rates were higher among D3 and females. Respondents reported longer sleep durations but increased sleep disturbances, negative psychological states, and overall concerns during SAH. Maintaining fitness and sport-specific skills (~70.0%) were the most common concerns. In addition, ~60.6% of females and 41.9% of males indicated increased mental health concerns. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that while attempting to be diligent with training during SAH, many student-athletes reported difficulties regarding limited equipment, motivation, and mental health concerns such as heightened anxiety. Many of these difficulties were division- and sex-specific. Discussions between coaches and student-athletes regarding SAH training and mental stressors may aid in determining student-athletes’ readiness to return to sport.