Background: Symptoms related to Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) and quarantine measures have caused pulmonary function abnormality and impaired respiratory mechanics. However, no studies are evaluating pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle strength in female volleyball players according to COVID-19 status in the pandemic.
Aims: This study aims to compare pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle strength in female players with and without COVID-19.
Methods: Seventeen players (23.47 ± 5.89 years) who were recovered from COVID-19 and 25 female volleyball players (20.48 ± 5.05 years) who were not infected by SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, pulmonary functions, body composition, symptom severity, and perceptions of performance were evaluated.
Results: Measured and predicted percent maximal inspiratory pressure and measured maximal expiratory pressure values of COVID-19 players were statistically significantly lower than non-COVID-19 players (p < 0.05). Dynamic lung volumes were similar in groups (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: Inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in COVID-19 players were more affected compared with non-COVID-19 players. Pulmonary functions were mostly preserved in COVID-19 players. Respiratory muscle weakening can affect the performance of female players. Therefore, respiratory muscle strength training could be suggested in female players with COVID-19 to increase respiratory muscle strength and prevent deterioration in performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION (CLINICALTRIALS.GOV): Registration ID: NCT04789512 .
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Pulmonary function test, respiratory muscles, Athletic performance,