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Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Volleyball Athletes Following a COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Aleksandra Milovancev

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Jovana Avakumovic

    (Health Center “Novi Sad”, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Nemanja Lakicevic

    (Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Valdemar Stajer

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Darinka Korovljev

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Nikola Todorovic

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Antonino Bianco

    (Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Nebojsa Maksimovic

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Sergej Ostojic

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Patrik Drid

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

Abstract

Athletes’ lifestyles have been dramatically affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Since COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system and to a lesser degree the cardiovascular system, the goal of this study was to examine the effects of COVID-19-caused detraining on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of recently recovered volleyball athletes. Sixteen experienced volleyball athletes (age 24 ± 4.5 years) who were recently diagnosed and recovered from a COVID-19 infection volunteered to participate in this study and were tested for CRF and spirometry. Given that participants had only mild symptoms of infection, the primary focus of this study was on the effects of detraining on CRF. On average, the time to exhaustion was 9.4 ± 1.4 min. VE, VCO 2 , RER and oxygen pulse increased, heart rate exceeded 90% of predicted values, and peak VO 2 values were typical for this level of athlete (44.1 ± 3.4 mL/kg). Pulmonary function reflected in FVC, FEV1/FVC and MVV values were well above 80% of predicted values for each of the participants while electrocardiography revealed no ischemia, arrythmias or conduction and repolarization abnormalities were found in the tested subjects. Therefore, it can be concluded that participants experienced typical consequences of detraining. Due to a lack of CRF data prior to COVID-19 infection, we were unable to estimate the magnitude detraining had on CRF. Complete CRF assessment after COVID-19 infection in athletes can be useful for screening of residual myocardial and/or respiratory system damage for safe return-to-play decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandra Milovancev & Jovana Avakumovic & Nemanja Lakicevic & Valdemar Stajer & Darinka Korovljev & Nikola Todorovic & Antonino Bianco & Nebojsa Maksimovic & Sergej Ostojic & Patrik Drid, 2021. "Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Volleyball Athletes Following a COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4059-:d:534676
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sofia Romagnoli & Agnese Sbrollini & Ilaria Marcantoni & Micaela Morettini & Laura Burattini, 2022. "Review on Cardiorespiratory Complications after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Young Adult Healthy Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    2. Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic & Jasna Nincevic & Sime Versic & Sarah Cuschieri & Ante Bandalovic & Ante Turic & Boris Becir & Toni Modric & Damir Sekulic, 2021. "Performance of Professional Soccer Players before and after COVID-19 Infection; Observational Study with an Emphasis on Graduated Return to Play," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Emese Csulak & Árpád Petrov & Tímea Kováts & Márton Tokodi & Bálint Lakatos & Attila Kovács & Levente Staub & Ferenc Imre Suhai & Erzsébet Liliána Szabó & Zsófia Dohy & Hajnalka Vágó & Dávid Becker & , 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on the Preparation for the Tokyo Olympics: A Comprehensive Performance Assessment of Top Swimmers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Damir Sekulic & Sime Versic & Andrew Decelis & Jose Castro-Piñero & Dejan Javorac & Goran Dimitric & Kemal Idrizovic & Igor Jukic & Toni Modric, 2021. "The Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Position-Specific Match Running Performance of Professional Football Players; Preliminary Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-9, November.

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