We all know that COVID-19 has disrupted many parts of our lives. I certainly understand the affects of COVID-19 to myself, from cancelling my GCSE exams to not being able to meet my friends and family. COVID-19 has impacted many key aspects of our life- especially sport.
Since yesterday, gyms have finally reopened due to a second lockdown being enforced. I have really missed being able to train in the pool and in the gym. But to what extent has COVID-19 affected our society?
The opportunities for physical activity were reduced significantly which has caused many detrimental effects to society both psychologically and physically. Gyms were closed, pools shut and fitness classes stopped.
Sport is very beneficial to our mental health as physical activity releases endorphins which are the happy hormones that make us feel good after activity. Therefore, with more adults participating less in sport, in studies it has been shown that depression is more common.
Furthermore, due to having a sedentary lifestyle people have become less fit. This could lead onto heart disease, obesity and being a higher risk to type 2 diabetes.
Elite athletes have also been affected greatly by the pandemic as the scheduled 2020 olympics in Tokyo had to be cancelled. This has a devastating affect on the athletes and staff that have prepared at least 4 years (or the whole life) for this upcoming event. Athletes have been affected psychologically due to the cancelling of the games which could be compared to grief, yet are hopeful for the upcoming rescheduled games.
COVID-19 has also caused a major drought in funding for sport as spectators can no longer go and watch matches which would have created much needed funds for the sport.
From this we can see that COVID-19 has had a major effect on sport- including society and also elite athletes. Hopefully sport can return to some form of normality in the near future.