Athlete's Perceptions of a "Quarantine" Training Camp During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Globally, COVID-19-related movement restrictions have caused significant disruption to athlete's training and sporting competitions. "Quarantine" camps are one approach to maintain sport-specific training, whilst minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission between athletes and society. This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of a "quarantine" training camp on athlete's routines and wellbeing, performance support, perceived stress and sleep behaviors. A survey was completed at the end of a 30-day "quarantine" camp, by 76 elite athletes (17-46 years), predominantly (~80%) Olympic/Paralympic and/or world championship representatives. Athletes described their experiences in comparison to; pre-lockdown training and/or training during "lockdown" (immediately prior to the "quarantine" camp). Compared to "lockdown," the "quarantine" camp revealed improvements (p < 0.05; 0.33 ≤ d ≤ 0.90) in access to sport-specific training (28.6%), recovery facilities (22.2%), nutritional choices (17.5%), mental (12.4%) and emotional (11.4%) health, training motivation (20.0%); and perceived stress (7.4%, d = -0.27, p = 0.026). The camp resulted in a lower sleep duration (-8.5%, d = -0.73, p = 0.014), but an improved global sleep behavior score (-5.6%, d = -0.22, p = 0.001). During the camp, the performance support athletes received was not different to pre-lockdown (p > 0.05), but there was greater sports massage (20.4%, d = 0.39) and physiotherapy usage (18.1%, d = 0.36) (both p < 0.05). The adverse effects of lockdown were restored during the camp. A "quarantine" camp may offer comparable training experiences to pre-lockdown training, without inducing additional perceived stress. Coaches and sporting organizations may consider this approach as part of a virus mitigation strategy, whilst maintaining sport-specific training.

Keywords: Olympic Games; Paralympic Games; coronavirus; home confinement; self-isolation.

Figure 1

Survey section 2; athlete's training routines and wellbeing responses. All questions were phrased: “I have been impacted, negatively, in the following aspects”: The questionnaire used a 5-point scale, with 1 and 5 representing strongly disagree and strongly agree ratings, respectively, and using 1-point increments. ^†Significant difference (p < 0.05) between pre-lockdown and lockdown.Significant difference (p < 0.05) between pre-lockdown and “quarantine” camp.^‡Significant difference (p < 0.05) between lockdown and “quarantine” camp.

Figure 2

Survey section 3; Utilization of performance support pre-lockdown and during the “quarantine” camp. Athletes indicated how frequently, on a monthly basis, they utilized performance support on a 5-point scale of “0 or never,” “1–2 times,” “3–4 times,” “5–6 times,” and “more than 6 times.” * Significant difference (p < 0.05) between pre-lockdown and “quarantine” camp.

Figure 3

Survey section 4; Comparison in Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) among pre-lockdown, lockdown, and “quarantine” camp. Responses were scored on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often). Positive scores were reversed to allow the calculation of a cumulative total score. ^†Significant difference between pre-lockdown and lockdown.Significant difference between pre-lockdown and “quarantine” camp.^‡Significant difference between lockdown and “quarantine” camp.

Figure 4

Survey section 6; total responses to athlete's lifestyle habits during the “quarantine” camp. Responses were scored on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (very often).