Affiliation:
1. Graduate Program in Physical Education, Brazil
2. Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
3. Universidade de Pernambuco, Brazil
4. Brazilian Paralympic Academy, Brazil
5. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: Although studies have been conducted in the athlete population during the pandemic, its impacts on Paralympic athletes are still unknown. Objective: To evaluate the mood and quality of life of Paralympic boccia players during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Method: Questionnaires assessing mood, quality of life, and demographic data were sent electronically via social media. The study included 43 athletes from all functional classes (BC1 = 8, BC2 = 12, BC3 = 11, and BC4 = 11) and four regions of Brazil (Northeast = 12, Southeast = 12, Central-West = 3, and South = 17). ANOVA, t test, and similar non-parametric tests were used, with the respective effect sizes (ES). Results: Regarding mood states, BC4 athletes differed from BC1 athletes in the depression subscale score (25.5 vs. 14.5, p = 0.026, ES=1.47). The fatigue subscale score differed between BC4 and BC1 athletes (17.8 vs. 10.4, p = 0.023, ES=1.38) and between BC4 and BC2 athletes (17.8 vs 10.3, p = 0.008, ES=1.32). BC4 athletes had higher total mood disturbance (TMD) values than BC1 (175 vs. 141, p = 0.025, ES=1.35) and BC2 (175 vs.141, p = 0.025, ES=0.97) athletes. Lower stress (18.5 vs.21.8, p = 0.027, ES=0.64) and TMD (148.0 vs 162.0; p = 0.044; ES= 0.53) values were observed among the national level athletes. In terms of quality of life, differences were found between BC4 and BC2 athletes in the psychological health domain (3.73 vs. 4.49, p = 0.024, ES=0.89) and between athletes from the Northeast and South in the environment domain (3.39 vs. 4.18, p=0.030, ES=0.44). Conclusion: BC4 athletes are more susceptible to negative mood and quality-of-life perceptions. Additionally, athletes from the Northeast region may have poorer perceptions of quality of life related to the environment in which they live. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.
Subject
Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine