Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Health Status and Physical Performance of Amateur Runners: The Experience of the RomaOstia Half Marathon

Abstract

To date, scientific evidences document the negative impact of COVID-19 on the health status and physical performance of both people in general and athletes. Furthermore, many studies highlight how the impact of SARSCoV- 2 infection does not end with the acute phase - two/three weeks - but the symptoms, first of all fatigue, can persist even for many weeks in what is called the long COVID-19 syndrome. However, we have little evidence regarding the COVID-19 pandemic per se and in particular the impact of lookdown strategies on the health of individuals and non-professional athletes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic in a group of amateur runners who signed up for the 2021 edition of RomaOstia half marathon.