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: Pawel Rzymski, Piotr Rzymski, Bartlomiej Burzynski, Tomasz Jurys, Michalina Knapik, Izabela Rzymska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Termedia Publishing House 2022-10-01
Series:Archives of Medical Science
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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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author Pawel Rzymski
Piotr Rzymski
Bartlomiej Burzynski
Tomasz Jurys
Michalina Knapik
Izabela Rzymska
author_facet Pawel Rzymski
Piotr Rzymski
Bartlomiej Burzynski
Tomasz Jurys
Michalina Knapik
Izabela Rzymska
author_sort Pawel Rzymski
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-49e8fc9f1c8a4e5cb022b1c4e71b40132025-08-20T01:50:38ZengTermedia Publishing HouseArchives of Medical Science1734-19221896-91512022-10-0121111012010.5114/aoms/155211155211The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in PolandPawel Rzymski0Piotr Rzymski1Bartlomiej Burzynski2Tomasz Jurys3Michalina Knapik4Izabela Rzymska5Department of Mothers’ and Child’s Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan, PolandDepartment of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, PolandDepartment of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical Universit of Silesia in Katowice, PolandDepartment of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical Universit of Silesia in Katowice, PolandDoctoral School, Department of Urology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, PolandDepartment of Social and Humanistic Science, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, PolandIntroduction 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.https://www.archivesofmedicalscience.com/The-effect-of-the-COVID-19-pandemic-on-professional-and-advanced-cycling-athletes,155211,0,2.htmlcovid-19cycling athletestraining patternshigh-intensity interval trainingsars-cov-2
spellingShingle Pawel Rzymski
Piotr Rzymski
Bartlomiej Burzynski
Tomasz Jurys
Michalina Knapik
Izabela Rzymska
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
Archives of Medical Science
covid-19
cycling athletes
training patterns
high-intensity interval training
sars-cov-2
title The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
title_full The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
title_fullStr The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
title_full_unstemmed The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
title_short The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes: a cross-sectional study in Poland
title_sort effect of the covid 19 pandemic on professional and advanced cycling athletes a cross sectional study in poland
topic covid-19
cycling athletes
training patterns
high-intensity interval training
sars-cov-2
url 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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