Investigation of anxiety levels of licensed swimming athletes families with mental disability during the pandemic process

The aim of this study is to examine the anxiety levels of the families of swimming athletes with mental disabilities during the pandemic process. The universe and sample of this research, which was carried out using a semi-structured interview form approach, consists of 16 participants, who have a family of mentally handicapped athletes who are licensed to swim in Manisa Province Youth, Manisa Water Sports, Manisa Autism Sports Club and Young Aegean Youth and Sports Club. In the study, which was carried out using the qualitative research model, 14 questions were prepared by the researcher. In the analysis of the data obtained in the study, the content analysis method and descriptive analysis method, which are among the qualitative research methods, were used and Percent-Frequency Analysis was applied to the obtained data. As a result; It has been determined that swimming has positive effects on physical, growth and development, posture and motor skills of mentally retarded children, and development occurs in mental communication and co-working skills. It has been determined that there is a habit of distraction, distraction, and obsessions. Regarding the families of mentally handicapped athletes; It has been determined that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the parents of swimming athletes were worried and feared to lose this percentage, worried about the regression of their sportive success when their children could not train, but expressed a positive opinion because of their children's re-participation in social life thanks to the swimming pools that were opened gradually. KEY WORDS: Anxiety, Disabled, Family, Mentally Disabled, Sports.