| Title: | Multidimensional effects of Covid-19 lockdowns on youth athletes : evidence from Slovenian coaches |
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| Authors: | ID Pišot, Saša (Author)
ID Milovanović, Ivana (Author)
ID Teraž, Kaja (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (329,27 KB)
MD5: 0328C328E80F40C39D84291A10A77135
 URL - Source URL, visit https://www.eqoljournal.com/article/338
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  ZRS Koper - Science and Research Centre Koper
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| Abstract: | The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in early 2020, caused widespread disruptions to youth sport, including curriculum-based physical activity, organized sports, and active transportation. This study investigated the impact of repeated lockdowns on organized youth sport participation, physical fitness, skill development, and psychosocial well-being in Slovenia. An online survey was conducted between November and December 2021 with 116 coaches of U13–U19 athletes across multiple sports disciplines. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric analyses were employed to examine participation trends, training adaptations, and perceived athlete outcomes. Following the first lockdown, 14.6% of athletes dropped out, while 6.5% of teams reported increased membership. After the summer break, participation rebounded, and the second lockdown had a smaller impact, indicating partial resilience in youth sport engagement. Training frequency and modality were substantially affected, with 20% of coaches not implementing remote sessions and fewer than half conducting post-lockdown fitness assessments. Coaches reported declines in general physical fitness (71%) and sport-specific skills (70%), heterogeneous changes in body mass, and reduced self-confidence and motivation in over 50% of athletes, whereas team spirit remained relatively stable. A significant association between perceived changes in body mass and motivation highlighted the role of physical self-concept in supporting engagement. These findings demonstrate that prolonged interruptions to organized youth sport have multidimensional effects on physical, technical, and psychosocial development. Future research should explore long-term consequences, identify effective mitigation strategies, and consider sport-specific, age, and gender-related factors to enhance resilience in youth sports systems under exceptional circumstances. |
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| Keywords: | sport, health science, physical education, athletes, pandemics, mental health, well-being |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Author Accepted Manuscript |
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| Publication date: | 17.12.2025 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 7 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 18, iss. 2, [article no.] |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-27385  |
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| UDC: | 316.728:616-036.21 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2406-1379 |
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| DOI: | 10.31382/20260602 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 267284483 |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 4. 2. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 04.02.2026 |
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| Views: | 102 |
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| Downloads: | 72 |
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