MOOD STATES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PARALYMPIC BOCCIA ATHLETES IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction: Although studies have been conducted in the athlete population during the pandemic, its impacts on Paralympic athletes are still unknown. Objective:To evaluate the mood and quality of life of Paralympic boccia players during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Method: Questionnaires assessing mood, quality of life, and demographic data were sent electronically via social media.The study included 43 athletes from all functional classes (BC1= 8, BC2 = 12, BC3 =11, and BC4 = 11) and four regions of Brazil (Northeast= 12, Southeast = 12, Central-West = 3, and South = 17). ANOVA, t test, and similar non-parametric tests were used, with the respective effect sizes (ES). Resu Its: Regarding mood states, BC4 athletes differed from BC1 athletes in the depression subscale score (25.5 vs.14.5, p = 0.026, ES=1.47).The fatigue subscale score differed between BC4 and BC1 athletes (17.8 vs. 10.4, p= 0.023, ES=138) and between BC4 and BC2 athletes (17.8 vs 10.3, p = 0.008, ES=1.32). BC4 athletes had higher total mood disturbance (TMD) values than BC1 (175 vs. 141, p = 0.025, ES=1.35) and BC2 (175 vs.141, p = 0.025, ES=0.97) athletes. Lower stress (18.5 vs.21.8, p = 0.027, ES=0.64) and TMD (148.0 vs 162.0; p = 0.044; ES= 0.53) values were observed among the national level athletes. In terms of quality of life, differences were found between BC4 and BC2 athletes in the psychological health domain (3.73 vs. 4.49, p = 0.024, ES=0.89) and between athletes from the Northeast and South in the environment domain (3.39 vs. 4.18, p=0.030, ES=0.44). Conclusion: BC4 athletes are more susceptible to negative mood and quality-of-life perceptions. Additionally, athletes from the Northeast region may have poorer perceptions of quality of life related to the environment in which they live.