AUTHOR=Knowles Christopher , Shannon Stephen , Prentice Garry , Breslin Gavin TITLE=Comparing Mental Health of Athletes and Non-athletes as They Emerge From a COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living VOLUME=3 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.612532 DOI=10.3389/fspor.2021.612532 ISSN=2624-9367 ABSTRACT=
Athletes going through transition periods such as injury or retirement have previously reported feelings of depression and anxiety, especially when feeling unsupported. Cessation of competitive sport during the pandemic has forced athletes through a non-normative transition and has reduced many opportunities to satisfy their basic psychological needs increasing the risk of poor wellbeing and loneliness. Whilst athletes are often praised for their resilience—a trait that serves to support them during tough times—the inability to play sport can be particularly challenging for those with strong athletic identities. An online cross-sectional survey (