COVID-19–Considerations for the Female Athlete

Bruinvels, Georgie; Lewis, Nathan A.; Blagrove, Richard; Scott, Dawn M.; Simpson, Richard J.; Baggish, Aaron L.; Rogers, John P; Ackerman, Kathryn E.; Pedlar, Charles R.

doi:10.3389/fspor.2021.606799

Cited by 17 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 59 publications

(42 reference statements)

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“…Therefore, it is universally accepted that extremely stressful experiences induce menstrual cycle changes. Many of the studies included in this review reinforce the idea that high-stress levels were more likely to markup menstrual changes [ 35 , 36 , 40 , 41 ]. Long-term stress might also be a contributor.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Female Fertility: A Review of the Literature

Carp-Velişcu

Mehedințu

Frîncu

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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As the coronavirus pandemic is far from ending, more questions regarding the female reproductive system, particularly fertility issues, arise. The purpose of this paper is to bring light upon the possible link between COVID-19 and women’s reproductive health. This review emphasizes the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on the hormones, endometrium and menstrual cycle, ovarian reserve, follicular fluid, oocytes, and embryos. The results showed that endometrial samples did not express SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Regarding the menstrual cycle, there is a large range of alterations, but they were all reversible within the following months. The ovarian reserve was not significantly affected in patients recovering from both mild and severe infection in most cases, except one, where the levels of AMH were significantly lower and basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were increased. All COVID-19 recovered patients had positive levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the follicular fluid. The amount of retrieved and mature oocytes and the fertilization rate were unharmed in three studies, except for one study, where the quantity of retrieved and mature oocytes was reduced in patients with higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The numbers of blastocysts, top-quality embryos, and euploid embryos were affected in most of the studies reviewed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Female Fertility: A Review of the Literature

Carp-Velişcu

Mehedințu

Frîncu

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Among female athletes, facing circumstances of uncertainty (e.g., about career/future) and economic instability [ 30 ] has been associated with increased stress levels. During lockdown, difficulties accessing regular healthcare [ 31 ] could potentially elicit stress among female athletes as well. These discrepancies may have been related to the large majority of male athletes (i.e., 90%) within parasports, a group that appeared to have been affected significantly by lockdown ( Table 1 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and “Bubble” Training Camps

Washif

Ammar

Trabelsi

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyles and training of elite athletes around the world. The detrimental effects of lockdown periods may vary among individuals, as well as among sports and sexes. This study investigated the changes in dietary habits, and the predictors of perceived stress during lockdown and a “bubble” training camp. This cross-sectional, online survey involved 76 elite and world-class athletes from six able-bodied sports and nine parasports, all of whom were involved in a 30-day “bubble” training camp. Questions were asked on socio-demographics, training routines and wellbeing, perceived stress, and dietary habits, pertaining to “normal” training (prelockdown), lockdown training, and “bubble” camp training periods. Changes in perceived stress were trivial to small during lockdown compared to “normal” training, and trivial to moderate during a “bubble” camp, compared to lockdown. Para-athletes, males, older athletes, less experienced athletes, married individuals, and specific ethnicities appeared to be more detrimentally affected (increased perceived stress) by lockdown. These negative experiences, however, were largely reversed during “bubble” camps. During lockdown, more athletes reported increased evening snack consumption (+8%), later meal-times (+6%), decreased fluid intake (−6%), and no breakfast (+7%). These changes were reversed during “bubble” camps (12–18% improvements). Sport classification accounted for 16% of the increased perceived stress (p = 0.001) during lockdown. Overall, socio-demographic factors, improvements in training routines, well-being, and dietary habits explained 28% of the decreased perceived stress during a “bubble” camp. In conclusion, better dietary habits, training routines and well-being have implications for reduced perceived stress. During lockdown, “bubble” camps may be beneficial, but this observation may be a case-by-case consideration, and short split “bubble” periods are recommended.

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“…19 Further, female athletes with underlying medical conditions (e.g., menstrual dysfunction such as endometriosis) may have had reduced access to appropriate medical care during the lockdown period. 20 When considering the challenges female athletes experienced during lockdown, lower classification athletes appear more likely to be disadvantaged. 21 This study assessed the knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and practices toward training and its interruption during the 2020 early COVID-19 lockdown period.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Lockdown: A Global Study Investigating the Effect of Athletes’ Sport Classification and Sex on Training Practices

Washif¹,

Sandbakk²,

Seiler³

et al. 2022

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

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Purpose: To investigate differences in athletes’ knowledge, beliefs, and training practices during COVID-19 lockdowns with reference to sport classification and sex. This work extends an initial descriptive evaluation focusing on athlete classification. Methods: Athletes (12,526; 66% male; 142 countries) completed an online survey (May–July 2020) assessing knowledge, beliefs, and practices toward training. Sports were classified as team sports (45%), endurance (20%), power/technical (10%), combat (9%), aquatic (6%), recreational (4%), racquet (3%), precision (2%), parasports (1%), and others (1%). Further analysis by sex was performed. Results: During lockdown, athletes practiced body-weight-based exercises routinely (67% females and 64% males), ranging from 50% (precision) to 78% (parasports). More sport-specific technical skills were performed in combat, parasports, and precision (∼50%) than other sports (∼35%). Most athletes (range: 50% [parasports] to 75% [endurance]) performed cardiorespiratory training (trivial sex differences). Compared to prelockdown, perceived training intensity was reduced by 29% to 41%, depending on sport (largest decline: ∼38% in team sports, unaffected by sex). Some athletes (range: 7%–49%) maintained their training intensity for strength, endurance, speed, plyometric, change-of-direction, and technical training. Athletes who previously trained ≥5 sessions per week reduced their volume (range: 18%–28%) during lockdown. The proportion of athletes (81%) training ≥60 min/session reduced by 31% to 43% during lockdown. Males and females had comparable moderate levels of training knowledge (56% vs 58%) and beliefs/attitudes (54% vs 56%). Conclusions: Changes in athletes’ training practices were sport-specific, with few or no sex differences. Team-based sports were generally more susceptible to changes than individual sports. Policy makers should provide athletes with specific training arrangements and educational resources to facilitate remote and/or home-based training during lockdown-type events.

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COVID-19–Considerations for the Female Athlete

Cited by 17 publications

References 59 publications

The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Female Fertility: A Review of the Literature

The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Female Fertility: A Review of the Literature

Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and “Bubble” Training Camps

COVID-19 Lockdown: A Global Study Investigating the Effect of Athletes’ Sport Classification and Sex on Training Practices

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