Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown was a strange and new
occurrence, which left many individuals ill-equipped to cope with the new way of living.
Sportspersons had to adapt to a new training style within a new environment, both physically
and mentally.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to understand the physical, mental and emotional
parameters among sportspersons during the COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
Setting: The study consisted of 105 regular sportspersons (from South Africa).
Methods: This was a quantitative research study design using an online questionnaire. An
online questionnaire was adapted and distributed via online social platforms (WhatsApp,
Twitter and Instagram) to collect data in which sportspersons (n = 105) answered questions
about the effects that they experienced during lockdown on their physical, mental and
emotional well-being.
Results: Sportspersons participated in cardiovascular training, flexibility training, strength
training and bodybuilding exercises during pre-lockdown. During lockdown, more than 74%
of sportspersons had adequate training space, equipment and the time to perform physical
activity. However, more than 43% of these sportspersons experienced a decrease in flexibility,
muscle mass and muscle strength. Exercise was used as a form of stress relief by 77.1% of
sportspersons throughout lockdown. In addition, sportspersons who used exercise as a form
of stress relief continued to experience an increase in stress throughout lockdown.
Conclusion: The outcomes from this study demonstrated how the COVID-19 lockdown had
adverse effects on the overall health and well-being of most sportspersons. Other outcomes
included the effects that physical inactivity had among sportspersons, including changes in
diet and sleep.
Contribution: This study highlights the urgency for the sports fraternity to adopt measures to
provide various methods of stress relief (as well as opportunities for physical activity) during
similar periods of lockdown (or exercise restrictions) for those who rely on exercise as their
daily physical, mental and emotional outlet.