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. 2021 Jul 9;10(14):3053.
doi: 10.3390/jcm10143053.

Clinical Characteristics, Exercise Capacity and Pulmonary Function in Post-COVID-19 Competitive Athletes

Klara Komici  1   2 , Antonio Bianco  1   2 , Fabio Perrotta  3 , Antonio Dello Iacono  4 , Leonardo Bencivenga  5   6 , Vito D'Agnano  1 , Aldo Rocca  1 , Andrea Bianco  7 , Giuseppe Rengo  5   8 , Germano Guerra  1   2
Affiliations

Clinical Characteristics, Exercise Capacity and Pulmonary Function in Post-COVID-19 Competitive Athletes

Klara Komici et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background: Limited evidence exists regarding adverse modifications affecting cardiovascular and pulmonary function in physical active adults affected by COVID-19, especially in athletic populations. We aimed to describe the clinical presentation of COVID-19 in a cohort of competitive athletes, as well as spirometry and echocardiography findings and cardio-respiratory performance during exercise.

Methods: Twenty-four competitive athletes with COVID-19 were recruited for this study after ending self-isolation and confirmation of negative laboratory results. All athletes underwent clinical evaluation, spirometry, echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). These data were compared to a group of healthy control athletes.

Results: Anosmia was the most frequent symptom present in 70.83% patients, followed by myalgia, fatigue and ageusia. The most frequent persisting symptoms were anosmia 11 (45.83%) and ageusia 8 (33.33%). Compared to controls, COVID-19 patients presented lower FEV1%: 97.5 (91.5-108) vs. 109 (106-116) p = 0.007. Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO2) in COVID-19 patients was 50.1 (47.7-51.65) vs. 49 (44.2-52.6) in controls (p = 0.618).

Conclusions: Reduced exercise capacity was not identified and pulmonary and cardiovascular function are not impaired during early recovery phase in a population of physical active adults except FEV1 reduction.

Keywords: COVID-19; CPET; SARS-CoV-19; physical exercise.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical Presentation of COVID-19 in athletes and Persisting Symptoms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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