Repeated cardiopulmonary performance measurements in young competitive handball players with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 virus and its long-term consequences in adolescents have a global impact on upcoming medical issues. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a SARS-CoV-2 infection on cardiorespiratory parameters in young athletes. METHODS: In a cohort study involving repeated measurements during a six-month period, cardiorespiratory parameters were assessed in infected (SCoV) and non-infected (noSCoV) athletes. We evaluated handball players (17.2 ± 1.0 years) via performance diagnostics and a specific examination after a SARS-CoV-2 infection or without. RESULTS: We observed no significant differences between the two groups at the first visit. But between the first and second visit, the SCoV group’s maximum power output was significantly lower than the noSCoV group’s (− 48.3 ± 12.5; p ≤ 0.01 vs. − 15.0 ± 26.0 W; p = 0.09). At the second visit, lung diffusion capacity (DL(CO)/V(A), %predicted) did not differ between groups (111.6 ± 11.5 vs. 116.1 ± 11.8%; p = 0.45). HR during comparative stress showed no group differences. The SCoV group’s mean oxygen uptake during incremental exercise was lower (Two-way-ANOVA: 1912 vs. 2106 ml; p ≤ 0.01; mean difference: − 194 ml; 95% CI − 317 to − 71); we also noted a significantly lower stroke volume course during exercise (Two-way-ANAOVA: 147.5 vs. 169.5 ml; mean difference: − 22 ml; p ≤ 0.01; 95% CI − 34.2 to − 9.9). The probability of premature ventricular complexes after a SARS-CoV-2 infection yielded an odds ratio of 1.6 (95% CI 0.24–10.81). CONCLUSIONS: The physical performance of young athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2 was impaired. This decreased performance is probably due to cardiac and/or peripheral deconditioning. Studies with larger cohorts are needed to make more profound conclusions.