AUTHOR=Bazett-Jones David M. , Garcia Micah C. , Taylor-Haas Jeffery A. , Long Jason T. , Rauh Mitchell J. , Paterno Mark V. , Ford Kevin R. 

TITLE=Changes in Motivation, Socialization, Wellness and Mental Health in Youth Long-Distance Runners During COVID-19 Social Distancing Restrictions

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.2021.696264

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2021.696264

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Purpose:</bold> The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the sporting and exercise activities of millions of youth. Running is an activity that could be maintained while social distancing restrictions were implemented during the pandemic. However, a recent study has indicated that youth runners reported lower running distance, frequency, and intensity during COVID-19. The reason for this reduction and the impact on overall well-being is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if the social distancing restrictions during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic influenced running motives, socialization, wellness and mental health in youth long-distance runners.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> A customized, open online questionnaire was provided to runners 9–19 years of age who participated in long-distance running activities including team/club cross-country, track and field (distances ≥800 m), road races, or recreational running. Participants responded to questions about demographics, motive for running, and wellness (sleep quality, anxiety, running enjoyment, food consumption quality) 6-months before as well as during social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19. Wilcoxon signed rank tests compared differences for ratio data and Chi-square tests were used to compare proportions before and during COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Statistical significance was set at <italic>p</italic> ≤ 0.05.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> A total of 287 youth long-distance runners (male = 124, female = 162, unspecified = 1; age = 15.3 ± 1.7 years; running experience = 5.0 ± 2.3 years) participated. Compared to their pre-COVID-19 responses, youth long-distance runners reported lower overall motivation to run (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) and changes to most motive rankings (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001 to <italic>p</italic> = 0.71). The proportion of youth running alone increased during COVID-19 (65.8%) compared to pre-COVID-19 (13.8%, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Youth long-distance runners also reported less running enjoyment (<italic>p</italic> = 0.001), longer sleep duration (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001), lower sleep quality (<italic>p</italic> = 0.05), more anxiety (<italic>p</italic> = 0.043), and lower food quality consumed (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) during COVID-19 social distance restrictions.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The COVID-19 social distancing restrictions resulted in significant decreases in motivation and enjoyment of running. The removal of competition and team-based interactions likely had a role in these decreases for this population. Continuing team-based activities (e.g., virtual) during social distancing may help with maintaining motivation of youth long-distance runners. Reduced running occurred concurrently with reduced overall well-being of youth long-distance runners during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>