SARS-CoV-2 infection decreases cardiorespiratory fitness and time-trial performance even two months after returning to regular training - Insights from a longitudinal case series of well-trained kayak athletes

• Main Authors: Shengji Deng (Author), Mingyue Yin (Author), Zhili Chen (Author), Jianfeng Deng (Author), Zhenyu Wang (Author), Yuxi Li (Author), Mengde Lyu (Author), Boyi Zhang (Author), Shaoqiang Zhu (Author), Shenggui Hu (Author), George P. Nassis (Author), Yongming Li (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and time-trial performance in vaccinated well-trained young kayak athletes. Methods: This is a longitudinal observational study. Sixteen (7 male, 9 female) vaccinated kayakers underwent body composition assessment, maximal graded exercise test, and 1000-m time-trial tests 21.9 ± 1.7 days before and 66.0 ± 2.2 days after the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The perception of training load was quantified with Borg's CR-10 scale before and after the infection return to sport period. Results: There were significant decreases in peak oxygen uptake (−9.7 %; effect size [ES] = 1.38), peak oxygen pulse (−5.7 %; ES = 0.96), and peak heart rate (−1.9 %; ES = 0.61). Peak minute ventilation, and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope were unchanged after infection compared to the pre-infection values. In the entire 1000-m, the impaired tendencies were found in completion time, mean power, and mean speed (−2.4 to 1.2 %; small ESs = -0.40 to 0.47) as well as significant changes in stroke rate and stroke length (−4.5 to 3.7 %; ESs = -0.60 to 0.73). Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased CRF and time-trial performance even two months after return to regular training in vaccinated athletes.

Item Description

1728-869X
10.1016/j.jesf.2024.05.003