The functional state of athletes who have undergone coronavirus infection (COVID-19)

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

This study investigated the energy supply of athletes with a mild coronavirus infection (COVID-19) during cycling ergometric load (CEL) to support recovery timing and to estimate the volume and intensity of physical activity. Eighty-seven cyclic-sport athletes (18–28 years) were examined: 52 with COVID-19 and 37 healthy self-isolating controls. Assessments included nucleic acid amplification diagnostics, spirography/spiroergometry, ECG, and repeated CEL. Most measured indicators did not differ significantly across examinations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Methods and assessments

Results across repeated examinations

Conclusion and clinical implications

Sports Medicine and Health Science 7 (2025) 453–459 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Sports Medicine and Health Science journal [homepage:](homepage: www.keaipublishing.com/smhs)[ www.keaipublishing.com/smhs](homepage: www.keaipublishing.com/smhs) Original Article The functional state of athletes who have undergone coronavirus infection (COVID-19) Victoria Zaborova a, Irina Lazareva a, Kira Kryuchkova a, b, *, Christina Popova a, Vitaly Rybakov c, Dmitry Shestakov d, Valerio Bonavolont e, Laura Guidettif, Giovanna Zimatore g, h a Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119991, Moscow, Russia b Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia c Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia d Moscow Clinical Scientiﬁc Center Named After A. S. Loginov, 111123, Moscow, Russia e Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences University of L ’Aquila, Italy f Department Unicusano, Niccol Cusano University, Rome, Italy g Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate, CO, Italy h IMM-CNR, Bologna, Italy | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | --- | --- | --- | | Keywords:
Functional state Coronavirus infection COVID-19
Athletes
Cycling ergometric load Spirography
Spiroergometry | | This study aimed to investigate the energy supply of athletes, who had a mild form of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) under cycling ergometric load (CEL) to substantiate the timing of recovery, as well as to determine the volume and intensity of physical activity. Eighty-seven athletes aged from 18 to 28 years old, involved in cyclic sports, were examined. Group I consisted of 52 athletes with COVID-19, and group II consisted of 37 healthy self-isolating athletes. In addition to the comprehensive examination, the tested athletes underwent special examinations: the study of diagnostic material using methods of nucleic acid ampliﬁcation, spirography and spiroergometry, electrocardiography (ECG), and CEL. The results of athletes from both groups did not differ signiﬁcantly (p > 0.5) in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd examinations. The second examination revealed a discrepancy between functional reserves and the load performed, as evidenced by the difference in the recovery rate of most indicators, the results of the third examination in the long-term period (6 months) showed that the athletes of the ﬁrst group did not have any violations of the parameters of the respiratory function (RF) and cardiovascular system at rest, after performing CEL, as well as in the recovery period. The results suggest that the full resumption of training loads and participation in competitions are possible only with the complete normalization of the functional state of the cardiorespiratory system. The most informative indicators are: minute ventilation (V_ E ), heart rate (HR), oxygen pulse (OP), and coefﬁcient of oxygen utilization (COU). | 1. Introduction The emergence of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) posed challenges for sports medicine specialists related to the rapid diagnosis and provision of medical care to sick athletes, their recovery from an infection, and the rapid return of athletes to training and competitive loads.1,2 Coronavirus infection affects different categories of the population in different ways. This infection is most dangerous for people over 65 years old and patients with chronic diseases.3–8 According to statistics, the diseases areasymptomatic in 50% of those infected. In 80% of patients with clinical symptoms, the disease is in the form of mild viral respiratory infections (VRIs).5,9 Mild and asymptomatic courses of the disease are most typical for young people, including athletes. Infectious diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract often occur in athletes, especially in winter, and increase with high-intensity

FAQs

What was the study’s main goal regarding athletes after COVID-19?

To investigate the athletes’ energy supply and functional responses during cycling ergometric load, supporting recovery timing and evaluating the appropriate return to training and competition.

How were the athletes grouped in the study?

Group I included 52 athletes with mild COVID-19, and Group II included 37 healthy athletes who were self-isolating.

Which indicators were highlighted as the most informative for the functional state?

Minute ventilation (V_E), heart rate (HR), oxygen pulse (OP), and the coefficient of oxygen utilization (COU).

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai