A Yoga Intervention for Stress Management of Young Atheletes During Covid-19 Lockdown

Abstract
The aim of this research was to check the effectiveness of a specially designed yogicg package suitable to athletes, who were into future fear due to covid-19 lockdown, test its effectiveness in bringing back their mental power. Yoga is not a new science. Centuries back importance of physical and mental health and the impact of yoga has been explained in Thirumandiram by Yoga Maharishi Thirumoolar. Psychological resilience is an important construct that can enhance athletic performance and foster valuable life skills. Through positive adaptation to adversity and stressors in competitive performance, athletes are able to cultivate their ability to effectively respond to negative stimuli, ultimately evolving personal growth. For young athletes, development of resilience is particularly crucial. Due to confinement and social isolation regulations young athletes face distinct challenges in sport including future fear, physical toughness, body image issues, emotional maturity, increased mental distress, and internalization of emotions during covid lockdown. The aim of this research is to test if yoga could build resilience, discuss the implications and applications relevant to young athletes. 30 young athletes between 19 - 21 years accepted to participate in the research was accommodated. The pretest was conducted on the selected variables and selected subjects was assigned into two groups equally of 15 subjects each. Experimental Group (YG) underwent yoga training and the control group (CG) did not undergo any specific training for 3 weeks (6 days a week for 2 sessions a day). After 3 weeks of the training period post test was conducted on resilience (self-determination, physical toughness and Emotion control & Maturity) for both the groups. To find out if any significant difference exists between pre and post training, t-ratio was applied. The result clearly depicts that yoga is a best tool to work on resilience in such unprecedentented tough times, securing current physical and mental health, enhancing sport performance thereby helping young athletes stay navigated to the set goal for life.