Abstract
Background. Given the current prevalence of COVID-19, the World Health Organization has issued an order to implement health protocols, social distancing, and home quarantine in order to control and manage the disease. Athletes' physical activities have been affected by quarantine conditions; this study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the physical activities of amateur athletes from Tehran National Gas Company in order to develop methods for maintaining physical fitness.
Methods. In this descriptive-survey study, a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 15 questions was used to collect the required data. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were checked by the experts, and then the online questionnaire prepared by the google form software was sent to the individuals. The variables examined in the questionnaire were: current status of athletes 'physical fitness, relationship with the coach, place of residence, physical activity at home, athletes' feelings, training programs, level of family support for athletes' sports activity, number and duration of training sessions, training intensity, and the diet. The statistical population of this study was 100 individuals. The sample size was determined based on Morgan table, and 70 individuals were finally selected through easy sampling method and included in the study.
Results. The results showed that most athletes were in the age range of 51-60 years. Most of the participants were active in the field of mountaineering. Majority of them had moderate physical fitness compared to the pre-quarantine period.
Conclusion. In sum, most athletes had a moderate level of physical fitness. It was recommended that the intensity of physical activities should be increased under supervision of coaches in order to maintain the fitness and increase the health and immunity.
Extended Abstract
Background
In December 2019, the city of Wuhan, China, announced the outbreak of a novel virus from coronavirus family called sars-cov-2 (acute respiratory syndrome). The virus is highly contagious and is easily transmitted from person to person. To prevent further spread of the virus, recommendations were issued by the World Health Organization on the compliance with the safety principles, including social distancing and home quarantine. But the negative impact of these restrictions on people's lifestyles was inevitable. Since then, the physical fitness of athletes has been affected by inactivity and sedentary lifestyle due to mandatory staying at home. Unfortunately, there is currently no effective treatment for this disease. Pathological conditions or biological factors such as age are the main causes of death. Inactivity due to hospitalization as well as home quarantine and social distancing reduce the ability of organs to resist infection and increase the risk of damage to the respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and brain systems. Spending a long time at home causes problems for their physical activity. Therefore, developing effective methods for maintaining health and fitness is necessary. Taking into account the ongoing situation, the World Health Organization has issued an order to implement health protocols, social distancing, and home quarantine in order to prevent further spread of this disease. This study aimed to evaluate the physical activity of Iranian amateur athletes from the National Gas Company of Tehran province and to develop methods for maintaining physical fitness.
Methods
In this descriptive-survey study, the variables of current physical fitness status, relationship with the coach, place of residence, physical activity at home, feeling of athletes, training programs, family support, duration of training sessions, number of sessions, intensity of training, exercise activity, and diet were investigated. The statistical population consisted of 100 athletes from National Gas Company of Tehran province. Final sample size was determined through Morgan table and, then, 70 athletes were selected through easy sampling method. The data collected through questionnaires were then statistically analyzed.
Results
Our study findings showed that majority of the participants were in the age range of 51-60 years. Most of them were involved in mountaineering and were moderately fit compared to the pre-quarantine period. In addition, most of the participants had no communication with their coaches but had sports equipment near their place of residence. Moreover, most of them had the physical ability to work at home or open spaces close to home. According to the results, participants only sometimes experienced pleasant feeling while working. It was found that participants rarely followed physical activity recommendations and the special exercise plans, but often had family support. It was also discovered that participants in the current situation oftentimes followed a special diet and physical activities. According to the results, moreover, the frequency of physical activities was two times a week for one hour.
Taking into account the results of the present study and review of the literature, the following methods were recommended for the amateur athletes:
· Use sports equipment near work or house
· Perform aerobic exercise for 150 minutes and strength training three days a week
· Adhere to a special diet
· Physical activity 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for children
· Do elastic exercises at home.
· Perform stretching and aerobic activities at home
Conclusion
Taking into account the answers provided by the participants, it was concluded that majority of the athletes in this study had a moderate level of physical fitness. Therefore, it was recommended that the intensity of physical activities should be increased under the supervision of coaches in order to maintain the fitness and increase the health and immunity.