COVID-19 pandemic cancellations have taken a heavy toll on teen athletes, whose mental and physical health improved significantly after sports resumed, research shows

The author of an abstract, “The Influence of Return to Sport on Mental Health, Physical Activity and Quality of Life Among Adolescent Athletes During COVID-19,” will present his findings at the AAP 2022 National Conference and Exhibition in Anaheim, CA.

“Organized sports participation has been shown for decades to have significant physical and mental health benefits for adolescents, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made this even clearer,” said author Drew Watson, MD, MS, team physician for athletics from the University of Wisconsin.

“The cessation of sports during the early pandemic was associated with reduced physical activity and quality of life, as well as surprisingly high levels of anxiety and depression. Although the return to sport has been associated with major improvements in physical activity, quality of life and mental health, we are still seeing higher levels of anxiety and depression than before COVID-19, suggesting this will be a crucial priority in the coming years to stay.”

According to the summary, a total of 17,421 teens nationwide completed surveys in May 2020, including information on demographics and sports participation, following cancellations of sporting events related to COVID-19 and following their return to sports in May 2021.

When sports were stopped, adolescent athletes reported low levels of physical activity, poor quality of life, and high rates of anxiety and depression. A year later, the athletes who were able to return to sports reported a significant increase in physical activity and quality of life. The percentage of adolescents reporting moderate to severe anxiety or depression fell by about half.

Dr. Watson suggests that the opportunity to participate in organized sports can have dramatic benefits for adolescents’ quality of life and mental health.