Key result
SARS-CoV-2 and pandemic restrictions linked to mostly reversible health effects and preserved cardiac integrity in soccer players.
Why the study?
Despite growing research, the health effects of COVID-19 on soccer players across competitive levels and pandemic phases remained poorly integrated.
Meta-Analysis (n=1,525)
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Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“This was, most likely, the most demanding scientific project I have been involved in to date. Not only because of the methodological complexity, but also because it forced me to leave my comfort zone and deepen my knowledge in a scientific area different from those in which I usually develop research. In the end, we are satisfied that we have responded to the challenge launched by the magazine itself and that we have contributed with a synthesis that can serve as a reference for future research and for the preparation of any similar situations.”
Systematic review and meta-analysis assess health impacts of COVID-19 on soccer players, suggesting mostly reversible effects.
Despite growing research, the health effects of COVID-19 on soccer players remain poorly integrated. This meta-analytic review synthesized evidence across competitive levels and pandemic phases to characterize the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic-related restrictions. The study adhered to PRISMA 2020 and Cochrane standards, with searches conducted in PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria followed the P.E.C.O.S. framework. From 6,048 records screened, nine studies (>1,525 players from Tiers 1–5) met the inclusion criteria. These observational investigations included predominantly male samples (94.2%) and assessed cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, metabolic/biochemical, hematologic, anthropometric, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal outcomes. Comparisons between pre- and during-pandemic periods suggested preserved cardiac integrity with infrequent post-infection sequelae, alongside mild pulmonary effects in infected players that tended to resolve with training resumption. Amid inconsistent endocrine findings, testosterone-to-cortisol ratios declined in non-infected players. Metabolic, hematologic, and anthropometric parameters were mostly stable, whereas hemoglobin exhibited a significant pooled increase. Musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal data were insufficient for broad conclusions. Moreover, meta-analytic estimates require cautious interpretation owing to few studies and very low certainty. Altogether, COVID-19 was associated with modest and mostly reversible effects, with structured home-based training potentially offsetting detraining. Rare cardiac abnormalities still warrant careful medical supervision.
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Almeida et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in COVID-19 (n=1,525). SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic-related restrictions vs. Pre-pandemic periods or non-infected players was evaluated on Cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, metabolic/biochemical, hematologic, anthropometric, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal outcomes. SARS-CoV-2 infection and pandemic restrictions were associated with modest, mostly reversible health effects in soccer players, with preserved cardiac integrity and mild pulmonary effects.
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