Influence of COVID-19 Restrictions on Training and Physiological Characteristics in U23 Elite Cyclists

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology

Iñigo Mujika¹  Justin Lawley²  Peter Leo² 

[1] Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Spain;Division of Performance Physiology & Prevention, Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;

关键词: pandemic;    athletes;    endurance;    detraining;    cycling;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jfmk7010001

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated mobility restrictions caused many athletes to adjust or reduce their usual training load. The aim of this study was to investigate how the COVID-19 restrictions affected training and performance physiology measures in U23 elite cyclists. METHODS: Twelve U23 elite cyclists (n = 12) participated in this study (mean ± SD: Age 21.2 ± 1.2 years; height 182.9 ± 4.7 cm; body mass 71.4 ± 6.5 kg). Training characteristics were assessed between 30 days pre, during, and post COVID-19 restrictions, respectively. The physiological assessment in the laboratory was 30 days pre and post COVID-19 restrictions and included maximum oxygen uptake (V̇O_2max), peak power output for sprint (Sprint_Pmax), and ramp incremental graded exercise (GXT_Pmax), as well as power output at ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP). RESULTS: Training load characteristics before, during, and after the lockdown remained statistically unchanged (p > 0.05) despite large effects (>0.8) with mean reductions of 4.7 to 25.0% during COVID-19 restrictions. There were no significant differences in maximal and submaximal power outputs, as well as relative and absolute V̇O_2max between pre and post COVID-19 restrictions (p > 0.05) with small to moderate effects. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that COVID-19 restrictions did not negatively affect training characteristics and physiological performance measures in U23 elite cyclists for a period of <30 days. In contrast with recent reports on professional cyclists and other elite level athletes, these findings reveal that as long as athletes are able to maintain and/or slightly adapt their training routine, physiological performance variables remain stable.

【 授权许可】

Unknown