The COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected social and economic life around the world. To protect public health, many countries enforced lockdowns that limited access to services and institutions. These changes, according to the World Health Organization, worsened mental health, increasing anxiety and depression for many people.

The paper “Beyond the Game: Well-being Amid Life Disruptions Among Elite Athletes” by Maria Luisa M. Guinto of the Department of Sports Science, College of Human Kinetics, University of the Philippines Diliman, and Denise F. Ang of the Sports Psychology Unit, Philippine Sports Commission, was written to address the lack of research from developing countries on how athletes coped during the pandemic. Since most studies focused on Europe and the US, the authors explored the impact of the pandemic on the well-being of Filipino athletes under the country’s strict and extended COVID-19 lockdowns which led to canceled events, closed facilities, and limited interaction with their coaches and teams.

The uniqueness of the study lies in its use of Existential Positive Psychology (EPP) to understand how Filipino elite athletes experienced the pandemic, showing that vulnerability and suffering are part of true well-being. EPP supports Indigenous psychology, which values community and shared welfare over personal success unlike many Western views. It also highlights the importance of relationships in shaping identity especially through the Filipino concept of loob which reflects a connected and whole sense of self. Along with kapwa, often translated as “the other,” these ideas show how deeply personal identity is tied to relationships with others.

To assess the well-being of national athletes during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), an online survey answered by 719 athletes gathered data on their training, activity, mood and well-being. From this group, 20 athletes—10 males and 10 females from both parasport and non-parasport—were chosen for in-depth virtual interviews to explore their feelings, struggles and coping strategies.

The authors found “being with uncertainty” as the overarching theme of the study. It describes how Filipino elite athletes faced the challenges of the pandemic and strict lockdowns. Disruptions to training, coaching, competitions and careers affected what sport meant to them. Based on existential ideas, the theme shows how athletes found meaning in uncertainty by being aware of their emotions and adapting to changes in their personal and professional lives.

One main theme of the study shows the emotional highs and lows experienced by elite Filipino athletes during the lockdown. Based on EPP and Asian ideas about balancing emotions, it explains how athletes handled difficult feelings such as boredom and loneliness while also finding moments of rest, hope and positivity. Accepting the situation and feeling connected to others helped them cope and build strength together in adjusting to the “new normal.”

Another important theme shows how athletes changed how they see themselves during the lockdown, going beyond just being athletes and seeing identity as something that changes based on their choices in uncertain times. Following EPP, many athletes reflected deeply and renewed their commitment to sport, finding motivation and meaning despite the challenges. The pandemic also made athletes rethink and adjust their goals such as creating new training routines to adapt to the changing sports environment.

The study also found that close relationships were very important as Filipino elite athletes gained strength and comfort from their social networks during the pandemic. The lockdown gave them a chance to reconnect with family and show values like utang na loob and kagandahang-loob  which helped strengthen bonds that were often weak because of their busy sports schedules. Even though they were isolated, the cultural value of kapwa helped them stay emotionally strong and feel connected to their communities.

Another theme shows how elite athletes responded to big changes by finding meaning and purpose, often through their faith in God. During long isolation from sports, they faced difficult questions about their identity and life, and looked for deeper purpose to stay well. This way is different from many Western views that focus more on thinking and less on spirituality for building strength.

The authors suggested several ways to support elite athletes during a crisis. First, mental health programs should help athletes handle both good and bad emotions for long-term well-being. Second, athletes should be guided to explore roles beyond sports to build a fuller sense of self. Third, strong community support systems can help athletes adapt while staying connected to shared goals. Lastly, programs that include spiritual and existential support can help athletes find meaning, purpose and hope in uncertain times.

Overall, the study shows the importance of culturally sensitive support systems to help athletes from different backgrounds cope with major life and career disruptions.

(This paper received the Editor’s Choice Award from the journal Performance Enhancement and Health in recognition of the quality, novelty and significance of the collaborative research led by UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics Professor Guinto.)

Read the full paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2024.100316

This article originally appeared at the UP OVPAA Website.