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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Psychol.
Sec. Sport Psychology
Volume 14 - 2023 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1295652
This article is part of the Research Topic

Theory and Practice of Soccer Psychology

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IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND MENTAL HEALTH OF ELITE SOCCER ATHLETES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Alexandro Andrade1* Anderson D'Oliveira1 Henrique P. Neiva2 Gilberto Gaertner3 WHYLLERTON M. CRUZ1
  • 1Santa Catarina State University, Brazil
  • 2University of Beira Interior, Portugal
  • 3Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Brazil

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Introduction: Investigation of the psychological impact on soccer athletes during the pandemic is essential given their unique challenges, including training disruptions and competition postponements. Understanding these effects will allow the development of specific strategies to preserve the mental health and performance of elite athletes, contributing to effective interventions with both short and long-term benefits. Objective: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological aspects and mental health of elite soccer athletes. Method: The review adhered to PRISMA criteria, and the study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022341545). Searches were conducted until July 2023 in databases including Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Only original, peer-reviewed studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological aspects and mental health of elite soccer athletes were included. Results: The search identified 1055 records and 43 studies were included in this review between 2020 and 2023. In total, the sample included 16,321 soccer athletes of different age groups. Anxiety, depression, mood states, and mental well-being were the most investigated variables. Increased levels of anxiety, depression, and worsening mental well-being were observed in elite soccer athletes. Maintaining fitness during the pandemic showed positive results. Other variables, such as coping, resilience, and sleep quality monitoring, were less widely investigated. Evaluating methodological quality was considered regular for observational and experimental studies. Conclusion: The study reveals a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elite soccer athletes, considering psychological aspects and their mental health, notably heightened anxiety and depression. Observational methods predominated, showing mood swings linked to individual characteristics and fitness maintenance efforts. Studies with better-designed methodological approaches and controlled experimental interventions are recommended in the future to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on soccer players.

Keywords: Athletes, Anxiety, mood states, Mental Health, Social Isolation

Received: 17 Sep 2023; Accepted: 26 Dec 2023.

Copyright: © 2023 Andrade, D'Oliveira, Neiva, Gaertner and CRUZ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence: Prof. Alexandro Andrade, Santa Catarina State University, Florianopolis, Brazil