The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on pro and advanced cycling athletes: A cross-sectional study in Poland

Abstract

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected different communities, yet the data on its impact on cyclists, is scarce.Material and methodsThe present study assessed the training patterns of pro 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.ResultsThe volume and weekly frequency of training was not decreased during the pandemic. However, their High-Intensity Interval Trainings (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 the SARS-CoV-2 registered a higher score in the somatic, social and environmental domain of the WHO-QoL 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 WHO-QoL. The training pattern of cyclists who experienced death to COVID-19 among their relatives remained unaffected, but they presented a lower psychologic domain in the WHO-QoL (64.5 vs. 69.2, p=0.02).ConclusionsCycling pro and advanced amateurs maintained their volume and frequency of training but reduced its intensity during the pandemic compared to 2019. Changes were more likely to be affected by their physical status than by their psychogenic condition. The pandemic had a limited effect on the training pattern of cycling athletes.

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