Influence of COVID-19 Restrictions on Training and Physiological Characteristics in U23 Elite Cyclists

Abstract

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated mobility restrictions caused many athletes to adjust or reduce their usual training load. The aim of this study was to investigate how the COVID-19 restrictions affected training and performance physiology measures in U23 elite cyclists. METHODS: Twelve U23 elite cyclists (n = 12) participated in this study (mean ± SD: Age 21.2 ± 1.2 years; height 182.9 ± 4.7 cm; body mass 71.4 ± 6.5 kg). Training characteristics were assessed between 30 days pre, during, and post COVID-19 restrictions, respectively. The physiological assessment in the laboratory was 30 days pre and post COVID-19 restrictions and included maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), peak power output for sprint (SprintPmax), and ramp incremental graded exercise (GXTPmax), as well as power output at ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP). RESULTS: Training load characteristics before, during, and after the lockdown remained statistically unchanged (p > 0.05) despite large effects (>0.8) with mean reductions of 4.7 to 25.0% during COVID-19 restrictions. There were no significant differences in maximal and submaximal power outputs, as well as relative and absolute V̇O2max between pre and post COVID-19 restrictions (p > 0.05) with small to moderate effects. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that COVID-19 restrictions did not negatively affect training characteristics and physiological performance measures in U23 elite cyclists for a period of <30 days. In contrast with recent reports on professional cyclists and other elite level athletes, these findings reveal that as long as athletes are able to maintain and/or slightly adapt their training routine, physiological performance variables remain stable.

Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on the Body Composition and Physical Performance of Athletes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

“…The 29 studies selected for systematic review [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ] and the quality of all of the studies analyzed are presented in Table 1 . The details of these studies are presented in Table 2 .…”

“…In summary, the motivation of exclusion was as follows: the number of subjects per group was not clear [ 24 ]; the data of O2peak was reported in other measurement units (meters) [ 31 ]; and no access to data in mean and standard deviation (even after email request) [ 43 , 45 , 46 ]. A total of 24 studies [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 13 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 47 ] and 447 athletes were included in this meta-analysis. This study resulted in six forest plots.…”

“…Body mass variable [ 8 , 10 , 13 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 47 ].…”

“… Forest plot of body composition variables: ( A ) = Body mass [ 8 , 10 , 13 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 47 ]; ( B ) = Percentage of fat [ 8 , 10 , 27 , 32 , 36 , 38 , 44 ]; ( C ) = Fat mass [ 13 , 23 , 32 , 47 ]; ( D ) = Fat-free mass [ 8 , 13 , 23 , 27 , 32 , 36 , 44 , 47 ]. Favor A = Decrease value of Variable; Favor B = Increase value of Variable.…”

Exercise Evaluation and Prescription—Second Edition

“…In the studies focusing on individual sports [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], Leo et al [ 23 ] investigated the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on training and performance physiology measures in U23 elite cyclists, concluding that COVID-19 restrictions did not negatively affect training characteristics and physiological performance measures for a period of <30 days. Boullosa and colleagues [ 24 ] monitored the associations between HRV, training load, and performance in a middle-aged recreational female runner during a competitive 20-week macrocycle divided into a first and second mesocycle, in which her best performances over 10 km and 21 km were recorded.…”