Mental health, like physical health and athletic performance, is an integral dimension of competitive sport,and all three cannot be considered independently. Mental wellbeing and athletic performance aremutually dependant. Psychological distress and disorders may have an impact on performance, increasethe risk of physical injuries and prolong rehabilitation. In turn, physical injuries limit athletic performanceand may pose a risk for sustaining mental health. These are known interrelationships. In particular, the COVID 19 pandemic and the associated restrictions may represent burdens and risks to mental health incompetitive sports and must therefore be taken into account. A research project investigating the relationship between mental health, physical health and performance in competitive sports during the COVID 19 pandemic is currently being conducted by the University Center for Prevention and Sports Medicine and the Department of Sports Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich. Possible psychological stress is evaluated with questions about symptoms, as they typically occur in a depressive mood, and supplemented with questions about possible sleep problems and anxieties as well as current illnesses and injuries. Since the COVID-19 lockdown, the survey has been carried out at intervals of four weeks. The last survey is planned one year after the lockdown. Study participants who show signs of depression or suicidal tendencies are contacted directly and receive an offer to arrange professional help.
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