The prevalence and coping behaviors of colds, influenza, and hay fever in collegiate athletes

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the actual conditions of colds, influenza, and hay fever as well as coping behaviors for these three phenomena in collegiate athletes.

Methods: The participants were athletes belonging to the athletic clubs of a four-year university. The participants were asked about their colds, influenza, and hay fever symptoms and coping behaviors.

Results: Altogether, 149 athletes participated in the study. About two-thirds of them had had a cold or influenza in the past year. Regarding masks, about 16% of the participants never wore a mask, and only about half of the participants always wore a mask. Almost 70% of the participants reported that there were years when they were not vaccinated against influenza. Furthermore, about half of the participants had experienced hay fever symptoms in the past year. Thirteen categories were obtained for coping with hay fever including “using oral medication.”

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that collegiate athletes commonly suffer from colds, influenza, and hay fever. With regard to wearing a mask and influenza vaccination behaviors in the event of a cold or influenza, it was confirmed that although many of the participants intended to implement the behaviors, some of them did not actually do so.