Epidemiological Evaluation of Physical and Mental Health Complications Following the Quarantine Period Caused by the OVID-19 Pandemic in Athletes Aged 18-35

Background and Objectives: In December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic urged governments to take unprecedented precautions to restrain the rapid spread of the disease, including home quarantine, banning all public gatherings, closures of all recreational and sports facilities, and many other measures, which significantly impacted the global community. The present study is set to evaluate physical and mental health problems ensuing the quarantine period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in athletes aged 18 to 35. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted; the participants were 501 male and female athletes aged 18 to 35. Three standardized online questionnaires on sports injury, SF-36 Quality of Life, and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were used. Results: In this cross sectional study, 501 participants were recruited (375 female and 126 male athletes). Most injuries were related to the ankle (23%) and the knee (12.82%).   The mean score of the quality of life questionnaire was 30.43 and the standard deviation was 3.79. The mean score of the general health questionnaire was 36.81 and the standard deviation was 4.19. Conclusion: The rate of physical injuries, especially in the knee and ankle joints, was high. Physical inactivity, lack of exercise, and psychological conditions governing the society could cause changes in athletes' physical performance and might be accompanied by musculoskeletal disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.