Key result
SARS-CoV-2 infection linked to higher maximal heart rates during and after aerobic testing in elite athletes.
Why the study?
It was unknown whether elite athletes experience persistent performance deficits following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Does SARS-CoV-2 infection impair aerobic and anaerobic performance in elite male football players?
Cohort (n=84)
Yes
Does SARS-CoV-2 infection impair aerobic and anaerobic performance in elite male football players?
p-value: p=<0.001
SARS-CoV-2 infection temporarily impairs aerobic performance in elite athletes for several weeks, while anaerobic performance remains unaffected.
May suggest transient aerobic impairment in elite athletes; leaves open performance impact and need for prospective return-to-play studies.
Objectives To investigate possible persistent performance deficits after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in elite athletes.Methods A prospective cohort study in three Belgian professional male football teams was performed during the 2020 − 2021 season. Participants were submitted to strength, jump, and sprint tests and an aerobic performance test (the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (YYIR)). These tests were repeated at fixed time intervals throughout the season. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 infection was performed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before each official game.Results Of the 84 included participants, 22 were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during follow-up. At the first testing after infection (52.0 ± 11.2 days after positive PCR testing) significantly higher percentages of maximal heart rate (%HRmax) were seen – within the isolated group of infected players- during (p = .006) and after the YYIR (2 min after, p = .013), compared to pre-infection data. This increase in %HRmax was resolved at the second YYIR testing after infection (127.6 ± 33.1 days after positive PCR testing). Additionally, when comparing the first test after infection in formerly infected to non-infected athletes, significantly higher %HRmax were found during (p < .001) and after the YYIR test (p < .001),No significant deficits were found for the jump, muscular strength or sprint tests.Conclusion Aerobic performance seems compromised even weeks after infection. Simultaneously, anaerobic performance seemed to be spared. Because of the potential detrimental effects on the immune system, caution might be advised with high-intensity exposure until aerobic performance is restored.KEY MESSAGESElite football players’ aerobic performance seems to be affected for weeks after they return to sports after a SARS-CoV-2 infection.Similarly, anaerobic performance tests showed no discernible changes between both before and after SARS-CoV-2 infections.Regular YYIR testing is recommended to monitor aerobic performance after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Wezenbeek et al. (2023) conducted a cohort in SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=84). SARS-CoV-2 infection vs. Uninfected athletes and pre-infection baseline was evaluated on Percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax) during and after the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test (p=<0.001). SARS-CoV-2 infection in elite football players resulted in significantly higher maximal heart rate percentages during (P<0.001) and after (P<0.001) aerobic testing compared to uninfected athletes.
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