CHANGES IN CARDIO-PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS ANALYZED WITH BRUCE PROTOCOL FOLLOWING SARS-COV-2 INFECTION IN SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze thepossible differences in the endurance of soccer players,basedon parameters obtained by Bruce protocol,beforeand afterthe COVID-19 pandemic. This was achieved bycomparing cardio-physiologicalparameters between convalescentsand non-infected athletes.We designed a retrospectivecase-controlstudy. Sixteenmale soccer players,agedfrom18 to35 years,were included.According to the anamnesticdata (COVID-19 questionnaire) players were divided into two subgroups: infected (N=10) and non-infected (N=6).The generalendurance and maximal oxygen consumption(VO2max)were assessed utilizing the Bruce sub-maximal treadmill test.Cardio-physiological parameters were taken during the pandemic period (May/ June 2021) and one year later (June 2022).The heart rate (HR) atrest showedno statistical difference between the two cohort groups(infected and non-infected)before (p=0.8996)andafter the pandemic (p=0.6968).HR at recovery also did not showsignificantdifference between thecohort groupsbefore(p=0.3719)and after the pandemic (p=0.6930). ET(exercise time)andVO2maxvalues werewithout a significant differencebetween the groups at the two testing periods(p=0.2860; p=0.9835 and p=0.4957;p=0.9469, respectively).The difference between VO2maxvaluesfor the wholesoccer teambefore and afterthe pandemicwas statistically significant and higher(+2.42mL/kg/min)at the second testing point (p=0.04).Thecardio-physiological parametersobtainedwith Bruce protocol following SARS-CoV-2 infection in male soccer players manifested nosignificantdifference comparedto non-infected participants from the same soccerclub and compared to the period before pandemic.The single parameterthatwas different and higher after the pandemicwas maximal oxygen consumptionfor the whole team regardless the COVID-19status. Keywords: maximal oxygen consumption,heart rate,Bruce test, COVID-19, soccer players