The National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), the Japan Rugby Football Players Association, and the Tsukuba University group conducted a two-point survey of male rugby players belonging to the Japan Rugby Top League (at that time) before and after the spread of COVID-19 infection. Regarding the actual state of mental health of Japanese athletes, it was shown that there are a certain number of athletes who need professional support while there is a group whose illness is improved by environmental changes.
The spread of COVID-19 infection also affected the mental health of athletes.According to a survey conducted by the European Soccer League, the percentage of athletes suspected of having anxiety / depression is significantly higher during lockdown in European countries than before the spread of the infection.This time, we investigated the mental health of Japanese rugby players before and one year after the spread of COVID-19 infection, and examined the effects of environmental changes due to the spread of the infection.
The survey was conducted before the spread of COVID-19 infection (December 2019-January 12) and during the spread of infection (December 2020-February 1).We compared and analyzed the data of 2020 and 12 male rugby players who responded, respectively.Before the spread of the infection, the percentage of athletes with some kind of mental health disorder was 2021% (psychological stress 2%, suspected moderate to severe depressive anxiety 251%), and during the spread of the infection one year later, those who were in poor condition. The percentage was 227% (psychological stress 42.2%, suspected moderate to severe depressive anxiety 32.2%), and the proportion of athletes with psychological stress decreased significantly, and athletes suspected of moderate to severe depressive anxiety. There was no difference in the proportion of.
This result indicates that while there is a relatively mild group whose condition is improved by environmental changes, there may be a certain number of groups that require expert support in addition to environmental adjustment, and it is a domestic sports organization. It is a finding that shows the necessity of constructing a systematic mental health care system.
