The effects of COVID-19 lockdown on jumping performance and aerobic capacity in elite handball players

Abstract

The aim of this research was to analyse the capacity of a home-based training programme to preserve aerobic capacity and jumping performance in top-level handball players during the COVID-19 lockdown. Eleven top-level male handball players from the same team participated in the study. A submaximal shuttle run test and a counter-movement jump test were used to measure the players’ aerobic fitness and lower limb explosive strength, respectively. A 9-week home-based training programme was followed during lockdown. Pre-test measurements were assessed before the pandemic on 29 January 2020 and ended on 18 May 2020. Moderate significant mean heart rate increases were found in the late stages of the submaximal shuttle run test after the lockdown (stage 5, 8.6%, P = 0.015; ES = 0.873; stage 6, 7.7%, P = 0.020; ES = 0.886; stage 7, 6.4%, P = 0.019; ES = 0.827). Moderate significant blood lactate increases were observed immediately after the submaximal shuttle run test following the lockdown (30.1%, P = 0.016; ES = 0.670). In contrast, no changes were found in jump performance. A structured home-based training programme during the COVID-19 lockdown preserved lower limb explosive strength but was an insufficient stimulus to maintain aerobic capacity in top-level handball players.

Analysis of the Sustainability of Long-Term Detraining Caused by COVID-19 Lockdown: Impact on the Maximal Aerobic Speed of Under-16 Soccer Players

“…Detraining during the transition period caused significant performance impairments in a number of physiological and performance measures such as VO2max, time to exhaustion, repeated-sprint ability and Yo-Yo test intermittent-running performance [2,7,8,21]. Moreover, previous studies showed that a structured home-based exercise program during the COVID-19 lockdown was effective in maintaining or improving physical fitness measures such as countermovement jump performance, an indicator of lower extremity explosive strength in elite handball players [22], and youth soccer players [23]. In another study, it was stated that after a 32-week detraining period, caused by the COVID-19 pan-demic lockdown, significant improvements were observed in neuromuscular parameters (vertical jump height, agility, and linear sprints) of young soccer players, depending on maturation-related adaptations [11].…”

“…Pucsok et al [23] found that the endurance capacity of young soccer players was moderately deteriorated after completing a 13-week home-based training routine during the COVID-19 lockdown. In additon, recent studies stated that cardiorespiratory endurance or VO2max, determined by the maximum mean velocity reached in a multistage 20-metre shuttle run test, was decreased in elite handball players [24], youth soccer players [4,25], female soccer players [26], and professional soccer players [22] due to non-specific and insufficient stimuli caused by a home-based exercise program during the COVID-19 lockdown. Furthermore, contrary to neuromuscular parameters (countermovement jump, change of direction ability, and 30 m sprint performance), a recent study was conducted by Alvurdu et al [9] on young soccer players aged 15-18 which noted that the highest performance loss was observed in aerobic capacity measured by the YYIRTL-1 test after a long-term detraining period of 15 weeks due to the COVID-19 lockdown.…”

“…Despite the exercise program in this process, the Yo-Yo test running distance and maximal running speed performance of the players decreased significantly after COVID-19 compared to pre-quarantine [27]. Additionally, Font et al [22] reported that the aerobic capacity, measured by multistage 20-metre shuttle run test of top-level professional handball players, decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown. The same researchers further stated that the losses in aerobic power could be due to the fact that the training volume of home-based exercise programs was approximately 40% lower compared to the endurance training performed during the regular competitive season, and the training specificity was insufficient.…”

Impact of Prolonged Absence of Organized Training on Body Composition, Neuromuscular Performance, and Aerobic Capacity: A Study in Youth Male Soccer Players Exposed to COVID-19 Lockdown

“…In another study conducted on handball players during the COVID-19 lockdown, although a structured 9-week home-based exercise program preserved the neuromuscular performance of the athletes, it was insufficient to maintain their aerobic capacity [48].…”

Effects and Causes of Detraining in Athletes Due to COVID-19: A Review

“…This has led to a series of restrictions, which from a pathophysiological point of view, may affect the athlete's performance in the short and long term. The restrictions basically affect training and eating habits, disturbing physical condition, as well as psychological behavior and general health status [1][2][3][4][5].…”