Investigation of anxieties of athletes in cycling branch to attack COVİD-19'

The emergence of the Covid-19 global epidemic has brought with it increased sedentary life among children and adolescents, which limits active social interactions such as the closure of gyms, parks and schools. In this study, it was aimed to investigation of the anxieties of the athletes in the cycling branch to attack Covid-19. The universe of this research consists of approximately 1000 athletes licensed in the Turkish Cycling Federation, active in the Central Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and Eastern Anatolia regions, in the 2021-2022 season. A total of 582 athletes, 172 women (29.6%) and 410 men (70.4%), were reached as the sample of the study. The socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits of the athletes were determined by a questionnaire. Anxiety levels were determined with the "New Type of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Anxiety Scale for Athletes". The data obtained from the research were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, standard deviation) using the SPSS 22 package program. When the analyzes were analyzed according to the sports age variable of the cyclists in the study, significant differences were observed between the athletes with sports years between 1-2 years and those with sports years over 8 years. In addition, statistically significant differences were found between the athletes with a sports year of 3-5 years and those with a sports year of 5-7 years and more than 8 years. When the distribution of cyclists on how many days of the week they do sports, significant differences were found in both sub-dimensions (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed among the athletes who do sports on a weekly basis (p<0.05). It has been 4 observed that athletes who do not train during the pandemic period feel more individual anxiety than those who do. At the same time, it was determined according to the average score of the scale that those who did not train during the pandemic period showed more socialization anxiety than those who did. Considering the average scores of the scale, it was determined that women experienced more individual anxiety than men in the individual anxiety sub-dimension. When the average scores in the socialization sub-dimension are taken into account, it is seen that women have more socialization anxiety than men. As a result, physical activities have positive effects on the body's immune system. It is understood that cycling plays an important role in reducing the anxiety of catching Covid-19 in athletes during the Covid-19 pandemic process. Keywords: Cycling, Covid-19, Anxiety.