The Impact of COVID-19 and Muscle Fatigue on Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Running Kinetics in Female Recreational Runners

Abstract

Background: There is evidence that fully recovered COVID-19 patients usually resume physical exercise, but do not perform at the same intensity level performed prior to infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection and recovery as well as muscle fatigue on cardiorespiratory fitness and running biomechanics in female recreational runners.Methods: Twenty-eight females were divided into a group of hospitalized and recovered COVID-19 patients (COV, n = 14, at least 14 days following recovery) and a group of healthy age-matched controls (CTR, n = 14). Ground reaction forces from stepping on a force plate while barefoot overground running at 3.3 m/s was measured before and after a fatiguing protocol. The fatigue protocol consisted of incrementally increasing running speed until reaching a score of 13 on the 6–20 Borg scale, followed by steady-state running until exhaustion. The effects of group and fatigue were assessed for steady-state running duration, steady-state running speed, ground contact time, vertical instantaneous loading rate and peak propulsion force.Results: COV runners completed only 56% of the running time achieved by the CTR (p < 0.0001), and at a 26% slower steady-state running speed (p < 0.0001). There were fatigue-related reductions in loading rate (p = 0.004) without group differences. Increased ground contact time (p = 0.002) and reduced peak propulsion force (p = 0.005) were found for COV when compared to CTR.Conclusion: Our results suggest that female runners who recovered from COVID-19 showed compromised running endurance and altered running kinetics in the form of longer stance periods and weaker propulsion forces. More research is needed in this area using larger sample sizes to confirm our study findings.

Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Amateur Runners’ Performance: An Analysis through Monitoring Devices

“…It is important to note that the effects of COVID-19 on athletes can vary considerably from one person to another. Some athletes may recover completely without experiencing lasting effects, while others may face health and athletic performance challenges, as noted in the study by Jafarnezhadgero et al [ 7 ]. In that study, COVID-19-free runners completed 56% longer running times and 26% faster speeds, and the runners with COVID-19 showed compromised endurance and altered kinetics in the form of longer stance periods and weaker propulsive forces [ 7 ].…”

“…Some athletes may recover completely without experiencing lasting effects, while others may face health and athletic performance challenges, as noted in the study by Jafarnezhadgero et al [ 7 ]. In that study, COVID-19-free runners completed 56% longer running times and 26% faster speeds, and the runners with COVID-19 showed compromised endurance and altered kinetics in the form of longer stance periods and weaker propulsive forces [ 7 ]. It is important to consider that all the female runners included in the experimental group had been hospitalized for COVID-19 at least 14 days before the study [ 7 ].…”

“…In that study, COVID-19-free runners completed 56% longer running times and 26% faster speeds, and the runners with COVID-19 showed compromised endurance and altered kinetics in the form of longer stance periods and weaker propulsive forces [ 7 ]. It is important to consider that all the female runners included in the experimental group had been hospitalized for COVID-19 at least 14 days before the study [ 7 ]. This condition may have significantly influenced their physical capabilities and recovery.…”

“…This includes possible impacts on physical activity. A previous study reported that patients with severe forms of COVID-19 (hospitalized recovered women) resumed physical exercise but not at the same intensity as before the infection [ 7 ]. Specifically, running time for non-COVID-19-affected runners was 56% longer than that of runners who had contracted COVID-19, and their speed was 26% higher [ 7 ].…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Fitness in Central Indian Athletes Aged 20-30 Years: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

“…Jafarnezhadgero and colleagues had similar findings when they studied the effect of recent COVID-19 infection in female recreational runners. COVID-19 has been implicated in lower running endurance and changed running kinetics, such as longer stance periods and weaker propulsive forces [ 12 ]. Due to its effects on the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, COVID-19 adversely affects the physical functions of individuals [ 13 ].…”