Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms During the COVID-19 Emergency Period: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Professional Football

Objective: The primary objective of our study was to establish the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among professional football (ie, soccer; hereinafter football) players during the COVID-19 emergency period, drawing comparisons with players assessed before exposure to the COVID-19 emergency period. Design: Observational comparative cross-sectional study by means of electronic questionnaire. Setting: Professional football. Participants: A total of 468 female (mean age: 22.8 years) and 1134 male (mean age: 26.0 years) players participated. The non-COVID-19 comparison group consisted of 132 female (mean age: 23.1 years) and 175 male (mean age: 24.8 years) professional footballers. Intervention: N/A. Main Outcome Measures: Anxiety symptoms were measured with the validated Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 and depressive symptoms with the validated Patient Health Questionnaire 9. Both instruments have been widely used in both clinical and research settings among different populations, showing excellent psychometric properties. Results: During the COVID-19 emergency period, the 2-week prevalence of symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and depression was 18.2% and 21.6%, respectively, among female professional footballers and 15.5% and 12.9%, respectively, among male players. The 2-week prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among professional footballers was significantly higher during the COVID-19 emergency period than before the global pandemic (P < 0.01). Differences were most pronounced for those worried about the playing future. Conclusions: The COVID-19 emergency period is associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression in professional footballers, especially among those worried about their future as players.

Automated summary

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among professional football players during the COVID-19 emergency period and compare it with pre-pandemic levels. The results showed that the COVID-19 emergency period is associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression in professional football players, especially among those worried about their future as players.