Impact of Pandemic-Related Training Disruptions on Jumping and Throwing Abilities in Athletes

Abstract

The proposed study was suggested to increase the knowledge about the suffering impact of COVID-19 shut down in sports person and suggest smearing accurate well-being protocols in terms of the exercise reintroduction with consideration of gender, sports type, and participant competitiveness. The goal of the study is to understand how the corona virus lockdown measure affected athletes jumping and throwing ability who were unable to participate in their regular daily practise. Methodology: Based on the design of the study, Convenient Sampling technique was adopted including male and female age between 15 to 30years old. In 3 physical best performance only best, one considered as a best performance. Throwing events (shotput, hammer throw, discuss throw & hammer throw). In Long jump & triple jump were taken within 30mins recovery time. Psychological parameters (Anxiety, visualization, motivation & Self-confidence) were determined through modified questionnaire. From assessing the physical personal best of the athletes, it was found out that athletes participating in discuss throw, hammer throw and shot-put shows significant reduction in their peak performance (P values= 0.007, <0.001, 0.028 & 0.08 respectively). Athletes from javelin throw, long jump and triple jump showed a decrease in performance, however, it was not significant.Results:  Of the recruited 64 athletes 76% participants were males and 24% were females with mean age of 20.51 ± 3.59 years. Male were taller and heavier than female athletes (P =<0.001, & 0.04 respectively). Based on the performance level of athletes, 50% of the participants were performing at district level, while 25% each were performing at provincial and national level. From assessing the impact of the psychological parameters, it was observed that corona virus pandemic affected both males and females equally psychologically (mean 3.89 ± 1.02) and exhibited signs of depression (3.76 ± 1.01). from the lock down it was observed that males were more uneasy in confined situation as compared to female (3.01±1.103 Vs. 3.37±.942, P=0.05) and they felt their body less relaxed than female (3.37±.942 Vs. 3.37±.942, P= 0.05).

Keywords: Covid-19, Athletes, Psychological parameters, Lock down