Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life among para-athletes with brain impairment

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of Chilean para-athletes with brain injuries. Method: Forty male soccer players from local para-sports club teams in Chile participated in this study. All participants completed the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire at two different times (before and during the pandemic). Results: A significant reduction in the general perception of quality of life was found between the different periods. In addition, the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains presented lower scores during the pandemic. Conclusions These results suggest that the impact of confinement reduced the perception of quality of life in all domains. Differentiated strategies with multidisciplinary professional support are needed to deal with the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in para-athletes with brain injuries.