Viral Upper Respiratory Infection and Biomechanics of Running

The effects of acute respiratory illness on exercise and sports performance outcomes in athletes – A systematic review by a subgroup of the IOC consensus group on “Acute respiratory illness in the athlete”

“…There were four studies reporting acute (short term) effects of ARinf on sport performance outcomes (Table 2). In these studies, outcome variables were determined during an ARinf (Cunniffe et al, 2011 Marinkovic et al, 2016; Weidner, et al, 1997;) or within 12 days of the ARinf (Van Tonder et al, 2016). In one study, testing was conducted after inoculation with a specific pathogen (rhinovirus) while in the other three studies the diagnosis of ARinf was suspected and the pathogen/s not identified.…”

“…Sports performance parameters included not starting or not completing an event, acute training modifications, and laboratory measurements of running kinematic variables (stride length, stride frequency, and ankle, knee and hip joint angles). The main findings from single studies on the acute effects of an ARinf on sporting performance variables were that: (a) an athlete is significantly less likely (risk ratio = 1.15) to start an event if they have a recent ARinf (8–12 days prior to a race) (Van Tonder et al, 2016), (b) during an upper ARinf there is a negative effect on training, impairing self‐reported training ability and capacity (Cunniffe et al, 2011; Marinkovic et al, 2016) and (c) during an ARinf with fever there are alterations in running kinematics (measured stride length, stride frequency and joint angles) (Weidner, et al, 1997).…”

“…The severity of the illness is dependent on several factors, including the specific pathogen and variable host‐response to an infection. There is some evidence that mild symptoms, particularly if they are localised to the upper respiratory region, are associated with a lower risk of an acute negative effect on exercise performance parameters compared to ARinf causing moderate to severe symptoms (Fricker et al, 2005 Weidner et al, 1997; Weidner, et al, 1997;). In this review, where mild severity of ARinf was reported it appears to be associated with minimal change in performance.…”

“…There is evidence that general acute illness, including ARinf, may impair the function of several organ systems as evidenced by recent data from SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (Cau et al, 2022; Thakur et al, 2021; van Hattum et al, 2021). Specifically, there is evidence that ARinf can impair muscle function, cardiorespiratory capacity and nervous system function (Friman & Wesslen, 2000; Weidner & Sport, 1996; Weidner, Schurr, & Dwyer, 1997). Effects on these systems can alter measures of exercise and sports performance including coordination ability, and mechanical and functional aspects of performance which may also increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (Colbey et al, 2018; Cox AG et al, 2008; Derman EWH & Schwellnus, 2010 Weidner, et al, 1997).…”

“…Specifically, there is evidence that ARinf can impair muscle function, cardiorespiratory capacity and nervous system function (Friman & Wesslen, 2000; Weidner & Sport, 1996; Weidner, Schurr, & Dwyer, 1997). Effects on these systems can alter measures of exercise and sports performance including coordination ability, and mechanical and functional aspects of performance which may also increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries (Colbey et al, 2018; Cox AG et al, 2008; Derman EWH & Schwellnus, 2010 Weidner, et al, 1997). Regardless of impairments in performance outcomes, loss of training time due to ARinf is a major determinant of sports performance of athletes in high‐level competition and thus warrants further understanding (Raysmith & Drew, 2016).…”