The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2020 Dec 03

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11669-4

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of the COVID-19 confinement period on physical conditions in young elite soccer players

Marc DAUTY ^{1, 2, 3}, Pierre MENU ^{1, 2, 3}, Alban FOUASSON-CHAILLOUX ^{1, 2, 3} ✉

¹ CHU Nantes, Service de Médecine du Sport, Nantes, France; ² CHU Nantes, Service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation Locomotrice et Respiratoire, Nantes, France; ³ Inserm, UMR 1229, RMeS, Regenerative Medicine and Skeleton, Université de Nantes, ONIRIS, Nantes, France

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 infection required general confinement measures reducing or even preventing sport practice, which was a risk of detraining in athletes. In adolescents, detraining is poorly known as well as its prevention by homeexercises. This article aimed to assess the effects of Covid-19 confinement on detraining in young high-level soccer players despite a multimodal training program conducted at home.
METHODS: Twenty-five elite soccer players, aged 14, were included to perform physical exercises at home during the Covid-19 confinement. Two cardio-training sessions and two upper and lower limb muscle strengthening sessions were performed per week. The exercise program was monitored remotely via the web. Hooper, training and mental indexes allowed a psychological follow-up. The effect of Covid-19 confinement on aerobic capacity was measured using a pre- and post-confinement Yo-Yo test.
RESULTS: Out of the 25 adolescences who completed the exercises program, 19 performed the post-confinement Yo-Yo test. The running distance decreased by 614 +/- 630 m (-25%) (p = 0001) and the maximal running speed by 0.97 +/- 1 km/h (-5%) (p=0.001), confirming detraining. Hooper, training and mental indexes remained stable showing a well-supported home Covid-19 confinement.
CONCLUSIONS: The 2-month period of strict home confinement due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was responsible for a decrease of aerobic abilities in adolescent soccer players, despite a remotely monitored multimodal exercises program.

KEY WORDS: Coronavirus; Detraining; Sport; Adolescents; Hooper’s index