Performance of Professional Soccer Players before and after COVID-19 Infection; Observational Study with an Emphasis on Graduated Return to Play.

Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic,Boris Becir,Ante Bandalovic,Sime Versic,Damir Sekulic,Ante Turic,Jasna Nincevic,Sarah Cuschieri,Toni Modric

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111688

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in sport has been the subject of numerous studies over the past two years. However, knowledge about the direct impact of COVID-19 infection on the performance of athletes is limited, and the importance of studies on this topic is crucial during the current pandemic era. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the match running performance (MRP) of professional soccer players that occurred as a result of COVID-19 infection after fulfilling all of the prerequisites for a safe return to play (RTP). The participants were 47 professional soccer players from a team which competed in first Croatian division (21.6 years old on average) during the 2020/21 season. The total sample was divided into two subgroups based on the results of a PCR test for COVID-19, where 31 players tested positive (infected) and 16 tested negative. We observed the PCR test results (positive vs. negative PCR), the number of days needed to return to the team, number of days needed to RTP after quarantine and isolation, and MRP (10 variables measured by a global positioning system). The number of days where the infected players were not included in the team ranged from 7 to 51 (Median: 12). Significant pre- to post-COVID differences in MRP for infected players were only found for high-intensity accelerations and high-intensity decelerations (t-test = 2.11 and 2.13, respectively; p < 0.05, moderate effect size differences), with poorer performance in the post-COVID period. Since a decrease of the MRP as a result of COVID-19 infection was only noted in two variables, we can highlight appropriateness of the applied RTP. However, further adaptations and improvements of the RTP are needed with regard to high-intensity activities.

Highlights

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the match running performance (MRP) of professional soccer players that occurred as a result of COVID-19 infection after fulfilling all of the prerequisites for a safe return to play (RTP)
Given the high intensity of the soccer season, condensed match schedule, and the fact that an infection removes an individual player from team training for a certain period, it is necessary to continue to work on protection measures for the mentioned population through both non-pharmaceutical measures and through vaccination in order to decrease infection rates
One of the major findings of this study was that there was no significant decline in MRP in soccer players due to COVID-19 infection, as changes were only noted in highintensity accelerations

Summary

Introduction

Since the beginning of 2020, the world has been facing the global COVID-19 crisis. Different pandemic control measures with different impacts on SARS-CoV-2 transmission and population health have been widely applied [1,2]. This pandemic has affected almost all aspects of human life, causing a chain reaction in sport as well [3]. Sporting events at all levels have been cancelled or delayed, access to training facilities has been limited, and gathering opportunities have been reduced or banned, which has greatly affected fan attendance. Most cases are asymptomatic and/or present with mild symptoms, it is well known that COVID-19 is associated with severe acute and chronic health consequences [4].

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