Coping during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Combat Sport Athletes

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* Consent for Research Participation

Researcher: Jacob Levy, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville

I am asking you to be in this research study because you actively train and participate in combat sports either recreationally or competitively (amateur or professionally). Combat sports include, but are not limited to, boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, grappling/wrestling, Judo, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts. You must be age 18 or older to participate in the study. The information in this consent form is to help you decide if you want to be in this research study. Please take your time reading this form and contact the researcher(s) to ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

Why is the research being done?
Like many organized sports, the combat sports community has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including temporary closings of gyms, transition to online only instruction and resources, cancellation or postponement of competitions, and limiting the interactions with teammates. Whether you are recreational athlete or serious competitor, adjusting to these changes may present challenges for both your physical and mental health. The purpose of the research study is better understand how you are coping with some of these challenges, in an effort to better understand the needs of the combat sports community.

What will I do in this study?
If you agree to be in this study, you will complete an online survey. The survey includes questions about your combat sports background, mental health history and current status, and ways you cope with stress. It should take you about 25 minutes to complete. You can skip questions that you do not want to answer.

Can I say “No”?
Being in this study is up to you. You can stop up until you submit the survey. After you submit the survey, we cannot remove your responses because we will not know which responses came from you.

Are there any risks to me?
Risks of participation are minimal. Some of the survey questions are personal in nature and may make you feel uncomfortable. To minimize this risk even further, you are free to stop taking this survey at any time, and are discouraged from participating in this study if you think your current mental health may be affected.

Are there any benefits to me?
We do not expect you to benefit from being in this study. Your participation may help us to learn more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting combat sports athletes. We hope the knowledge gained from this study will benefit others in the future.

What will happen with the information collected for this study?
The survey is anonymous, and no one will be able to link your responses back to you. Your responses to the survey will not be linked to your computer, email address or other electronic identifiers. Please do not include your name or other information that could be used to identify you in your survey responses. Information provided in this survey can only be kept as secure as any other online communication. Information collected for this study will be published and possibly presented at scientific meetings.

Will I be paid for being in this research study?
You will not be paid for being in this study.

Who can answer my questions about this research study?
If you have questions or concerns about this study, or have experienced a research related problem or injury, contact the researcher, Dr. Jacob Levy, jlevy4@utk.edu, (865) 974-3328.

For questions or concerns about your rights or to speak with someone other than the research team about the study, please contact:

Institutional Review Board

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
1534 White Avenue
Blount Hall, Room 408
Knoxville, TN 37996-1529
Phone: 865-974-7697
Email: utkirb@utk.edu

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* Statement of Consent
I have read the previous statement describing the consent for research participation, been given the chance to ask questions and have my questions answered. If I have more questions, I have been told who to contact. By clicking the “I Agree” button below, I am agreeing to be in this study. I can print or save a copy of this consent information for future reference. If I do not want to be in this study, I can close my internet browser.

I Agree

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* In what country do you currently reside?

United States

Other (please specify)

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* In which region of the United States do you live?

1. New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)

2. Middle Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania)

3. East North Central (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin)

4. West North Central (Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas)

5. South Atlantic (Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida)

6. East South Central (Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi)

7. West South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas)

8. Mountain (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada)

9. Pacific (Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii)

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* What is your age?

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

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* What is your gender?

Female

Male

Other (specify)

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* Which race/ethnicity best describes you? (Please choose only one.)

American Indian or Alaskan Native

Asian / Pacific Islander

Black or African American

Hispanic

White / Caucasian

Multiple ethnicity / Other (please specify)

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* In which Combat Sports do your train/participate (check all that apply)?

Boxing

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Grappling/Wrestling

Judo

Kickboxing

Mixed Martial Arts

Other Martial Art or Combat Sport (please specify)

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* What best describes your participation level in the combat sport(s) you identified?

"Hobbyist"--I train simply for fun and fitness

Competitive Hobbyist--I occasionally compete, but primarily train for fun and an fitness

Amateur Competitor--I train with the goal of regularly competing as a amateur

Elite Amateur Competitor--I train to compete at highest level of amateur competition in my sport

Professional--I am a professional combat sport athlete

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* How long have you actively trained in your combat sport?

# years (enter 0 if less than one year)

# months

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* Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, how may hours per week (on average) did you train in your combat sport(s)?

# hours/week

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* Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, how many hours per week did you exercise or engage in physical activity NOT DIRECTLY RELATED to your combat sport?

# hours/week

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* Did your combat sports gym close or stop in-person training due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes

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* How many hours per week (on average) have you trained/exercise--NOT IN YOUR COMBAT SPORT-- since your combat sports gym closed or discontinued in-person training?

# hours/week

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* How many hours per week (on average) have you trained in your combat sport since your gym closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

# hours/week

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* Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, I was diagnosed with and or treated for an anxiety disorder (for example, panic disorder, social anxiety, generalized anxiety, etc.)

Yes

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* Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was diagnosed with or treated for a depressive disorder (for example, major depression, bipolar disorder, etc.)

Yes

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* Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was diagnosed or treated for a stress-related disorder (for example, PTSD, adjustment disorder, etc.)

Yes

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* Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was diagnosed with or treated for an attention deficit disorder (for example, ADHD, ADD)

Yes

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* Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I have sought or am considering seeking mental health services.

Maybe

Yes

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* How would you describe your physical fitness since your combat sport gym closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Much worse

Worse

About the same

Better

Much better

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* How would you describe your mental wellness since your combat sport gym closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Please click "Next" after answering this question to go the page 2.

Much worse

Worse

About the same

Better

Much better