Do sports protect us from COVID-19? An evaluation of COVID-19 infection, vaccination status, and cardiac examination findings in children who exercise

AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic which has devastated the whole world for the past 3 years affects different patient groups differently. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence, symptoms, and severity of COVID-19 infection, vaccination status, and cardiac pathologies of children who exercise. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of the children and adolescents who applied to our paediatric cardiology outpatient clinic for preparticipation examinations between 01.01.22 and 31.12.2022 were scanned retrospectively, and information about their COVID-19 history, the severity of infection, symptoms during the infection, at the time of the examination, and vaccination status was obtained. The results were analysed using MS Excel 2016 software. RESULTS: The study consisted of 240 children [82 (34.17%) girls and 158 (65.83%) boys] whose mean age was 12.64 ± 2.64 years, mean weight was 50.03 ± 15.53 kg, mean height was 157 ± 15.09 cm, and mean body mass index was 19.65 ± 3.59. 129 cases had a COVID-19 history, 74 cases had no COVID-19 history, and 37 only had contact but no polymerase chain reaction positivity. 84 cases were mild, 19 were moderate, and 12 were asymptomatic. The most common symptoms were fatigue, malaise, headache, sore throat, and fever. 51 cases (35.15%) were vaccinated against COVID-19. No significant cardiac pathologies were detected in electrocardiography or echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that COVID-19 infections in children who exercise are generally mild and self-limiting. Our findings suggest that exercise may have positive effects on immunity.