The impact of COVID-19 circuit breaker measures on the exercise behaviour of competitive athletes in Singapore

Abstract

Background: Competitive athletes faces an abrupt disruption from their regular training due to COVID-19 Circuit Breaker, causing severe reduction in the quality and quantity of their training.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in exercise behaviour of competitive athletes in Singapore as well as the challenges faced by competitive athletes in Singapore in maintaining their perceived training status and sports performance.

Methods: 250 participants were recruited to complete a 48-item customized survey. Inclusion criteria being the age of 21 years or older, having resided in Singapore during the CB period and had participated in at least one organized competition per year in the past three-year period. (e.g., Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic Games (IVP), external clubs and leagues; national or international level competitions)

Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the number of training days (in a week) before and during the CB period, 49.60% of the respondents did not train for their sport at all during CB. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also found to the training intensity, training status and sports performance before and during CB with a large effect.

Conclusion: Competitive athletes in Singapore faced detrimental impact to their exercise behaviour during the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period, especially for sports training with sports specific movements that could not be mimicked in an irregular environment.