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INFECTIOUS DISEASES / CLINICAL RESEARCH
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
1
Department of Mothers’ and Child’s Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan, Poland
2
University Center for Sport and Medical Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
3
Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
4
Integrated Science Association (ISA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Poznan, Poland
5
Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical Universit of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
6
Doctoral School, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland
7
Department of Social and Humanistic Science, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland
Submission date: 2022-08-08
Final revision date: 2022-09-20
Acceptance date: 2022-10-07
Online publication date: 2022-10-28
Corresponding author
Pawel Rzymski
Department of Mothers' and Child's Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Polna St 33, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
Department of Mothers' and Child's Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Polna St 33, 60-535 Poznan, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different communities, but data on its impact on cyclists are scarce.
Material and methods:
The present study assessed the training patterns of professional and advanced amateur cycling athletes in Poland (n = 130) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic season and in relation to their epidemiological situation and quality of life factors.
Results:
The volume and weekly frequency of training were not decreased during the pandemic. However, their high-intensity interval training time (weekly 31.6 vs. 37.0 min, p = 0.004) and maximum weekly Training Stress Score (660 vs. 715, p = 0.001) decreased. Compared to uninfected cyclists, those who contracted SARS-CoV-2 registered a higher score in the somatic, social and environmental domains of the WHOQOL questionnaire (56.1 vs. 50.6, p = 0.024; 74.1 vs. 63.6, p = 0.032 and 72.5 vs. 65.9, p = 0.018, respectively); no changes were observed in the psychologic domain. Change in the weekly frequency of training, volume, time spent in > 90% and 80–90% of HRmax (min) correlated positively only with the somatic domain of the WHOQOL. The training pattern of cyclists who experienced the death of a relative due to COVID-19 remained unaffected, but they presented a lower psychological domain in the WHOQOL (64.5 vs. 69.2, p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
Professional and advanced amateur cyclists maintained their volume and frequency of training but reduced the intensity during the pandemic compared to the 2019 season. Changes were more likely to affect their physical status than their psychogenic condition. The pandemic had a limited effect on the training pattern of cycling athletes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different communities, but data on its impact on cyclists are scarce.
Material and methods:
The present study assessed the training patterns of professional and advanced amateur cycling athletes in Poland (n = 130) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic season and in relation to their epidemiological situation and quality of life factors.
Results:
The volume and weekly frequency of training were not decreased during the pandemic. However, their high-intensity interval training time (weekly 31.6 vs. 37.0 min, p = 0.004) and maximum weekly Training Stress Score (660 vs. 715, p = 0.001) decreased. Compared to uninfected cyclists, those who contracted SARS-CoV-2 registered a higher score in the somatic, social and environmental domains of the WHOQOL questionnaire (56.1 vs. 50.6, p = 0.024; 74.1 vs. 63.6, p = 0.032 and 72.5 vs. 65.9, p = 0.018, respectively); no changes were observed in the psychologic domain. Change in the weekly frequency of training, volume, time spent in > 90% and 80–90% of HRmax (min) correlated positively only with the somatic domain of the WHOQOL. The training pattern of cyclists who experienced the death of a relative due to COVID-19 remained unaffected, but they presented a lower psychological domain in the WHOQOL (64.5 vs. 69.2, p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
Professional and advanced amateur cyclists maintained their volume and frequency of training but reduced the intensity during the pandemic compared to the 2019 season. Changes were more likely to affect their physical status than their psychogenic condition. The pandemic had a limited effect on the training pattern of cycling athletes.
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