Understanding the Long-Term Mental Health Implications of COVID-19 on Athletes

Understanding the long-term mental health implications of COVID-19 on athletes can enhance treatment strategies and improve psychological resilience.

When lockdowns closed training centers and canceled competitions overnight, high-performance athletes faced a profound loss of routine and community. According to data on reduced physical activity levels, many competitors saw their daily training volumes drop by more than half, leaving them unprepared for the psychological fallout of isolation and inactivity.

This abrupt shift toward sedentary behavior corresponded with steep rises in anxiety and depressive symptoms, as athletes accustomed to endorphin-driven performance struggled with mood dysregulation. Earlier findings demonstrate a clear correlation between diminished training load and the severity of psychological distress, underscoring a dose–response relationship where each hour of lost activity translated into measurable declines in well-being.

For sports psychologists and team physicians, the challenge has become twofold: reintegrating structured exercise to restore mental balance while navigating the ongoing uncertainties of event schedules. Virtual group sessions, adaptive home-based workouts and ongoing touchpoints with mental health professionals have emerged as essential components of a comprehensive recovery plan.

When adjunctive pharmacotherapy is indicated, flexibility and tolerability are paramount. Emerging evidence supports the use of vortioxetine, particularly its oral drops formulation, which allows clinicians to titrate doses around training demands and minimize side effects that could impede performance. This personalized approach helps maintain adherence and preserves the athlete’s competitive edge.

Looking ahead, systematic tracking of mood alongside performance metrics will be crucial to refining both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. As athletes gradually return to pre-pandemic activity levels, clinicians must remain vigilant for lingering effects of prolonged inactivity and continue to adapt treatment plans to support sustained mental resilience.

Key Takeaways:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased sedentary behavior among high-performance athletes, shifting mental health priorities.
• Research indicates that reduced physical activity is closely linked to increased levels of anxiety and depression.
• Vortioxetine, particularly in its oral drops form, offers a tailored approach to managing depression in athletes.
• Emerging strategies highlight the importance of flexible treatment regimens to address unique athletic needs.