Does COVID-19 confinement period affect the body composition and physical performance of young elite soccer players?

Abstract

Background: The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 generated several changes in lifestyle. However, with the gradual return of activities, there are divisions about the real impact of the confinement period on the body composition and the players' motor capacities. The objectives of the present study were to verify the effects of a COVID-19 confinement period on body composition and physical performance in young soccer players. Methods: Twenty-one elite soccer players (17.6 ± 1.4 years) participated in the study. Assessments of body composition, squat jump, countermovement jump, isokinetic and intermittent yo-yo were performed before and after seven months of confinement period. Results: Significant reductions were found in the total distance covered in the intermittent yo-yo test (pre 1824 ± 243.70 and post 1640 ± 351.30 m; 95%CI = -349.00 -18.03 m; p = 0.031; ES = 0.60) after the confinement period. On the other hand, no significant alterations were found in the other tests. Conclusions: These results indicate that confinement promotes negative effects on the aerobic endurance of players, but not on body composition and lower limb strength and power. Thus, physical trainers and staff should direct attention to the development of aerobic endurance after similar periods of confinement.