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ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MEDICINE Free accessfree

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2021 September;61(9):1252-7

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11669-4

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of the COVID-19 confinement period on physical conditions in young elite soccer players

Marc DAUTY 1, 2, 3, Pierre MENU 1, 2, 3, Alban FOUASSON-CHAILLOUX 1, 2, 3

1 Department of Sports Medicine, Pole of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; 2 Department of Physical Medicine and Locomotor and Respiratory Rehabilitation, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France; 3 Department of Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton (RMeS), Inserm - UMR 1229, ONIRIS, University of Nantes, Nantes, France



BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection required general confinement measures reducing or even preventing sport practice, which was a risk of detraining in athletes. In adolescents, detraining is poorly known as well as its prevention by home-exercises. This article aimed to assess the effects of COVID-19 confinement on detraining in young high-level soccer players despite a multimodal training program conducted at home.
METHODS: Twenty-five elite soccer players, aged 14, were included to perform physical exercises at home during the COVID-19 confinement. Two cardio-training sessions and two upper and lower limb muscle strengthening sessions were performed per week. The exercise program was monitored remotely via the web. Hooper, training and mental indexes allowed a psychological follow-up. The effect of COVID-19 confinement on aerobic capacity was measured using a pre- and postconfinement Yo-Yo Test.
RESULTS: Out of the 25 adolescences who completed the exercises program, 19 performed the postconfinement Yo-Yo Test. The running distance decreased by 614+/-630 m (-25%) (P=0001) and the maximal running speed by 0.97+/-1 km/h (-5%) (P=0.001), confirming detraining. Hooper, training and mental indexes remained stable showing a well-supported home COVID-19 confinement.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2-month period of strict home confinement due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was responsible for a decrease of aerobic abilities in adolescent soccer players, despite a remotely monitored multimodal exercises program.


KEY WORDS: Coronavirus; Sports; Adolescent

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