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A. Almuhaya1, A. Alhowimel2, F. Alodibi3, H. Alsobayel3, O. Alkassabi1, A. Alghnam4
1PhysioTrio Clinic, Physical Therapy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2Prince Sattam University, Physical Therapy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 3King Saud University, Physical Therapy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 4Prince Noura University, Physical Therapy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Background: The recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) resulted in a complete lockdown of all social life aspects. All professional football leagues have either postponed or forced to end the incomplete session. The period of lockdown is different from the off-season period due to the quarantine's multiple physiological and psychological effects.
Purpose: this study is set to examine the impact of the lockdown period on professional football players' lifestyle and its relation to cardiopulmonary fitness.
Methods: Players from four different premier league clubs underwent cardiopulmonary fitness test then invited to participate in a survey questionnaire which covers diet, physical, and mantel level during the lockdown was distributed to all participants after completing the physical performance testing onsite.
Results: A total of n=67 players invited to participate in the study, 73% have completed the survey (n=49) and 61% (n=41) of the participants underwent cardiopulmonary fitness testing.
More than 70% stated that the exercise's intensity is decreased, and the frequency is more than three sessions per week in 90%. More than half of the sample has improvised their training without supervision or direction from their clubs. More than 70% of the sample reported a change in their sleep habits; however, the majority stated that they are getting restful sleep. The feeling of fatigue, loss of energy, and demotivation to exercise are reported by more than 60 % of the participants. Cardiopulmonary testing revealed the athletes demonstrated relatively fair cardiorespiratory fitness as shown by their VO2max scores, suggestive of a prolonged period of deconditioning. Compared with national and international professional footballers it becomes clear that aerobic capacity in these athletes needs to be further improved.
More than 70% stated that the exercise's intensity is decreased, and the frequency is more than three sessions per week in 90%. More than half of the sample has improvised their training without supervision or direction from their clubs. More than 70% of the sample reported a change in their sleep habits; however, the majority stated that they are getting restful sleep. The feeling of fatigue, loss of energy, and demotivation to exercise are reported by more than 60 % of the participants. Cardiopulmonary testing revealed the athletes demonstrated relatively fair cardiorespiratory fitness as shown by their VO2max scores, suggestive of a prolonged period of deconditioning. Compared with national and international professional footballers it becomes clear that aerobic capacity in these athletes needs to be further improved.
Conclusion(s): The results suggest that the lockdown period has impacted professional athletes' lifestyle behaviors, and, together with inadequate training supervision, the decline in fitness is expected.
Implications: The lockdown period has impacted professional athletes' lifestyle behaviors, and, together with inadequate training supervision, the decline in fitness is expected. Compared with national and international professional footballers it becomes clear that aerobic capacity in these athletes needs to be further improved.
Funding, acknowledgements: This study has no funds needed.
Keywords: COVID-19, cardiopulmonary fitness, VO2
Topic: COVID-19
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: N/A
Committee: N/A
Reason: N/A
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
