The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different communities, but data on its impact on cyclists are scarce. Material and methods The present study assessed the training patterns of professional and advanced amateur cycling athletes in Poland (n = 130) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Termedia Publishing House
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Archives of Medical Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.archivesofmedicalscience.com/The-effect-of-the-COVID-19-pandemic-on-professional-and-advanced-cycling-athletes,155211,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different communities, but data on its impact on cyclists are scarce.
Material and methods
The present study assessed the training patterns of professional 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.
Results
The volume and weekly frequency of training were not decreased during the pandemic. However, their high-intensity interval training time (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 SARS-CoV-2 registered a higher score in the somatic, social and environmental domains of the WHOQOL 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 WHOQOL. The training pattern of cyclists who experienced the death of a relative due to COVID-19 remained unaffected, but they presented a lower psychological domain in the WHOQOL (64.5 vs. 69.2, p = 0.02).
Conclusions
Professional and advanced amateur cyclists maintained their volume and frequency of training but reduced the intensity during the pandemic compared to the 2019 season. Changes were more likely to affect their physical status than their psychogenic condition. The pandemic had a limited effect on the training pattern of cycling athletes. |
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| ISSN: | 1734-1922 1896-9151 |