{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,26]],"date-time":"2025-10-26T15:09:42Z","timestamp":1761491382661,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,16]],"date-time":"2022-03-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1647388800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sports"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Mental alterations were described during the COVID-19 pandemic and sleep deprivation has been reported as a consequence of social isolation. In Italy, the COVID-19 pandemic spread out at the beginning of 2020 determining severe lockdown periods. The aim of our study was to observe the effects of lockdown on sleep and anxiety in trained non-professional subjects and professional athletes who continued to train during the lockdown period. Forty-six subjects (21 trained non-professional subjects and 25 professional athletes) were recruited from a variety of team and individual sports to complete a battery of previously validated and widely used questionnaires assessing psychometric and anthropometric parameters, physical activity levels, lifestyle habits, and sleep quality. Subjects were aged 27.0 \u00b1 5.14. All items were evaluated as percentages and chi-square and Fisher\u2019s exact tests were performed, as appropriate. Our data showed that the prevalence of the difficulty of falling asleep (over 30%), the tendency of nocturnal awakenings (over 30%), and moderate anxiety (over 38%) were at the same extent in the two groups. Of the professional athletes, 72.73% declared snoring during sleep vs 42.86% of non-professional subjects. No other significant differences were found between the two groups except for the perception of being constant in daily activity, significantly more reported by trained subjects (p &lt; 0.005). Our data show a similar scenario of anxiety and sleep disturbances for the two groups, suggesting that lockdown by the COVID-19 pandemic has partially mitigated the known beneficial effects due to physical activity on mental health and sleep quality. Further analyses are necessary to define the associated risk factors.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/sports10030044","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,16]],"date-time":"2022-03-16T22:15:04Z","timestamp":1647468904000},"page":"44","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["COVID19 Pandemic and Physical Activity: An Observational Study on Sleep Quality and Anxiety"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7421-6176","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ausilia","family":"Elce","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"},{"name":"CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, 80131 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9085-9737","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aurora","family":"Daniele","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, 80131 Napoli, Italy"},{"name":"Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Napoli \u201cFederico II\u201d, 80131 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4943-6780","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ilaria","family":"Loperto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4587-3695","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lucia","family":"De Coppi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Armando","family":"Sangiorgio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Angelina","family":"Vivona","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Clorinda","family":"Sorrentino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Simona","family":"Iannaccone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Lucia","family":"Martiniello","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Universit\u00e0 Telematica Pegaso, Isola F2, Via Porzio, 80143 Napoli, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5637-1685","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ersilia","family":"Nigro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, 80131 Napoli, Italy"},{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche, Universit\u00e0 della Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 81100 Caserta, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"681","DOI":"10.1152\/physrev.00032.2012","article-title":"About sleep\u2019s role in memory","volume":"93","author":"Rasch","year":"2013","journal-title":"Physiol. Rev."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2869.2010.00856.x","article-title":"Sleep quantity, quality and optimism in children","volume":"20","author":"Lemola","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Sleep Res."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1365-2869.2000.00198.x","article-title":"Time in bed, quality of sleep and school functioning of children","volume":"9","author":"Meijer","year":"2000","journal-title":"J. Sleep Res."},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"861","article-title":"Cognitive function following acute sleep restriction in children ages 10\u201314","volume":"21","author":"Randazzo","year":"1998","journal-title":"Sleep"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1016\/j.metabol.2018.02.010","article-title":"Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk of type 2 diabetes","volume":"84","author":"Reutrakul","year":"2018","journal-title":"Metabolism"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1213","DOI":"10.1093\/sleep\/30.9.1213","article-title":"Associations between sleep duration patterns and behavioral\/cognitive functioning at school entry","volume":"30","author":"Touchette","year":"2007","journal-title":"Sleep"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"619","DOI":"10.1093\/sleep\/31.5.619","article-title":"Meta-analysis of short sleep duration and obesity in children and adults","volume":"31","author":"Cappuccio","year":"2008","journal-title":"Sleep"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sleh.2014.12.010","article-title":"National Sleep Foundation\u2019s Sleep time duration recommendations: Methodology and results summary","volume":"1","author":"Hirshkowitz","year":"2015","journal-title":"Sleep Health"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smrv.2015.12.006","article-title":"Sleep and emotion regulation: An organizing, integrative review","volume":"31","author":"Palmer","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sleep Med. Rev."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"183","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smrv.2017.12.005","article-title":"Sleep and emotional processing","volume":"40","author":"Tempesta","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sleep Med. Rev."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.5665\/sleep.3388","article-title":"The prospective association between sleep deprivation and depression among adolescents","volume":"37","author":"Roberts","year":"2014","journal-title":"Sleep"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Halson, S.L., Shaw, G., Versey, N., Miller, D.J., Sargent, C., Roach, G.D., Nyman, L., Carter, J.M., and Baar, K. (2020). Optimisation and Validation of a Nutritional Intervention to Enhance Sleep Quality and Quantity. Nutrients, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu12092579"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"934","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sleep.2010.04.014","article-title":"Aerobic exercise improves self-reported sleep and quality of life in older adults with insomnia","volume":"11","author":"Reid","year":"2010","journal-title":"Sleep Med."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2432","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2014.4930","article-title":"Exercise for depression","volume":"311","author":"Cooney","year":"2014","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"366","DOI":"10.1080\/17437199.2015.1022901","article-title":"A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations","volume":"9","author":"Rebar","year":"2015","journal-title":"Health Psychol. Rev."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2012-091287","article-title":"Exercise for anxiety disorders: Systematic review","volume":"48","author":"Jayakody","year":"2014","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"649","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2013.08.001","article-title":"Physical activity and the prevention of depression: A systematic review of prospective studies","volume":"45","author":"Mammen","year":"2013","journal-title":"Am. J. Prev. Med."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"627","DOI":"10.1007\/s11325-019-01780-z","article-title":"Physical activity and sleep quality in relation to mental health among college students","volume":"23","author":"Ghrouz","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sleep Breath."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.5114\/biolsport.2018.78907","article-title":"Sleep deprivation affects post-lunch dip performances, biomarkers of muscle damage and antioxidant status","volume":"36","author":"Romdhani","year":"2019","journal-title":"Biol. Sport"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"510","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMp2008017","article-title":"Mental health and the COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"383","author":"Pfefferbaum","year":"2020","journal-title":"N. Engl. J. Med."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jad.2020.08.001","article-title":"Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: A systematic review","volume":"277","author":"Xiong","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Affect. Disord."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"511","DOI":"10.1007\/s10072-012-1085-y","article-title":"Validity of the Italian version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)","volume":"34","author":"Curcio","year":"2013","journal-title":"Neurol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2685","DOI":"10.12659\/MSM.894091","article-title":"Validation of the Italian Version of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Adolescents by A. Lancry and Th. Arbault","volume":"21","author":"Cavallera","year":"2015","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Monit."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"540","DOI":"10.1093\/sleep\/14.6.540","article-title":"A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: The Epworth Sleepiness Scale","volume":"14","author":"Johns","year":"1991","journal-title":"Sleep"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"172","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jocd.2014.11.002","article-title":"Insights into relationships between body mass, composition and bone: Findings in elite rugby players","volume":"18","author":"Hind","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Clin. Densitom."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13202","DOI":"10.1111\/eci.13202","article-title":"Exercise training improves sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"50","author":"Migueles","year":"2020","journal-title":"Eur. J. Clin. Investig."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"CD011279","article-title":"Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: An overview of Cochrane Reviews","volume":"4","author":"Geneen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Cochrane Database Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"78","DOI":"10.1111\/jsr.12509","article-title":"Self-reported sleep quantity, quality and sleep hygiene in elite athletes","volume":"27","author":"Knufinke","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Sleep Res."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"237","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apergo.2012.07.008","article-title":"Light level and duration of exposure determine the impact of self-luminous tablets on melatonin suppression","volume":"44","author":"Wood","year":"2013","journal-title":"Appl. Ergon."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"301","DOI":"10.1080\/17461391.2015.1023221","article-title":"Sleep, anxiety and electronic device use by athletes in the training and competition environments","volume":"16","author":"Romyn","year":"2016","journal-title":"Eur. J. Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1492","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2017.1398885","article-title":"Does self-perceived sleep reflect sleep estimated via activity monitors in professional rugby league athletes?","volume":"36","author":"Caia","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Sports Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2832","DOI":"10.1519\/JSC.0000000000001697","article-title":"The effects of the removal of electronic devices for 48 hours on sleep in elite judo athletes","volume":"31","author":"Dunican","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Strength Cond. Res."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tayech, A., Mejri, M.A., Makhlouf, I., Mathlouthi, A., Behm, D.G., and Chaouachi, A. (2020). Second Wave of COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Athletes\u2019 Confinement: Recommendations to Better Manage and Optimize the Modified Lifestyle. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17228385"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jshs.2020.02.001","article-title":"Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): The need to maintain regular physical activity while taking precautions","volume":"9","author":"Chen","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Sport Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1123\/jpah.2020-0392","article-title":"Regular Sports Participation as a Potential Predictor of Better Clinical Outcome in Adult Patients with COVID-19: A Large Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"18","author":"Halabchi","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Phys. Act. Health"}],"container-title":["Sports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4663\/10\/3\/44\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T22:37:48Z","timestamp":1760135868000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4663\/10\/3\/44"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,16]]},"references-count":35,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,3]]}},"alternative-id":["sports10030044"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/sports10030044","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-4663"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"2075-4663"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,3,16]]}}}