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Moustafa IM, Ahbouch A, Kader RP, Shousha TM, Alrahoomi A. A Comparison of Sensorimotor Integration and Motor Fitness Components between Collegiate Athletes with and without Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study with Pair-Matched Controls. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2469. [PMID: 38730998 PMCID: PMC11084506 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Long COVID presents a concern for collegiate athletes, potentially impacting sensorimotor processing and motor fitness. This study aimed to assess these effects. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 60 athletes diagnosed with Long COVID and 60 controls. Sensorimotor processing and integration were evaluated using neurophysiological variables (N13, P14, N20, P27, and N30), while motor fitness was assessed through balance, agility, and vertical jump testing. T-tests compared groups, and Pearson's correlations explored relationships. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in neurophysiological variables and motor fitness between Long COVID and control groups. Fatigue correlated positively (p < 0.001) with neurophysiological variables in Long COVID cases but not with motor fitness (p = 0.08, p = 0.07, p = 0.09). Conclusions: Collegiate athletes with Long COVID exhibit abnormal sensorimotor processing, integration, and diminished motor fitness compared to uninfected peers. The fatigue severity of Long COVID correlates with neurophysiological changes, suggesting a link between sensorimotor deficits and fatigue. Targeted interventions for sensorimotor deficits and fatigue management are crucial for athletes recovering from Long COVID. This study underscores the importance of addressing these issues to optimize the recovery and performance of collegiate athletes affected by Long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M. Moustafa
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.); (R.P.K.); (T.M.S.)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, RIMHS–Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Amal Ahbouch
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.); (R.P.K.); (T.M.S.)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, RIMHS–Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raheesa P. Kader
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.); (R.P.K.); (T.M.S.)
| | - Tamer Mohamed Shousha
- Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; (A.A.); (R.P.K.); (T.M.S.)
- Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, RIMHS–Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Abdulla Alrahoomi
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Department, Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 112308, United Arab Emirates;
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Massey D, Saydah S, Adamson B, Lincoln A, Aukerman DF, Berke EM, Sikka R, Krumholz HM. Prevalence of covid-19 and long covid in collegiate student athletes from spring 2020 to fall 2021: a retrospective survey. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:876. [PMID: 38093182 PMCID: PMC10717379 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08801-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptomatic COVID-19 and Long COVID, also referred to as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) or post-COVID conditions, have been widely reported in young, healthy people, but their prevalence has not yet been determined in student athletes. We sought to estimate the prevalence of reported COVID-19, symptomatic COVID-19, and Long COVID in college athletes in the United States attending 18 schools from spring 2020 to fall 2021. METHODS We developed an online survey to measure the prevalence of student athletes who tested positive for COVID-19, developed Long COVID, and did not return to their sport during the relevant time period. We surveyed a convenience sample of 18 collegiate school administrators, representing about 7,000 student athletes. Of those schools surveyed, 16 responded regarding the spring 2020 semester, and 18 responded regarding the full academic year of fall 2020 to spring 2021 (both semesters). RESULTS According to the survey responses, there were 9.8% of student athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in spring 2020 and 25.4% who tested positive in the academic year of fall 2020 to spring 2021. About 4% of student athletes who tested positive from spring 2020 to spring 2021 developed Long COVID, defined as new, recurring, or ongoing physical or mental health consequences occurring 4 or more weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights that Long COVID occurs among young, healthy athletes and is a real consequence of COVID-19. Understanding the prevalence of Long COVID in this population requires longer follow-up and further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Massey
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale New Haven Hospital, 195 Church Street, Fifth Floor, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Sharon Saydah
- Coronaviruses and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Epidemiology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Blythe Adamson
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Infectious Economics, LLC, New York, NY, USA
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy and Economics Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew Lincoln
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Special Olympics, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Douglas F Aukerman
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Samaritan Athletic Medicine at Oregon State University, Samaritan Health Services, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Ethan M Berke
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- UnitedHealth Group, Minnetonka, MN, USA
| | - Robby Sikka
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Harlan M Krumholz
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale New Haven Hospital, 195 Church Street, Fifth Floor, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- COVID-19 Sports and Society Working Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
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3
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Schellenberg J, Matits L, Bizjak DA, Kersten J, Kirsten J, Vollrath S, Steinacker JM. Assessment of myocardial function and cardiac performance using left ventricular global longitudinal strain in athletes after COVID-19: a follow-up study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1240278. [PMID: 37876776 PMCID: PMC10591089 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1240278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It has not yet been conclusively determined whether reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) after COVID-19 contributes to a reduction in exercise capacity. Our own studies showed a possible mild myocardial involvement in the form of reduced LV GLS in athletes after COVID-19 compared with healthy athletes. The aims of this prospective follow-up study were to investigate the development of LV GLS over a 3-month period in athletes after COVID-19 and the possible relationship between LV GLS and physical performance. Methods LV GLS was determined in four-, two-, and three-chamber views and assessed offline by a blinded investigator in 96 recreational athletes (mean age 33.15 ± 12.40 years, 53 male, peak VO2 38.82 ± 11.14 ml/min/kg) at a median of two (t0) and five months (t1) after COVID-19. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed on a bicycle ergometer on both examination dates. Results LV GLS improved significantly between t0 and t1 (t0 -18.82 ± 2.02 vs. t1 -19.46 ± 2.05, p < 0.001). Echocardiographic and spiroergometric parameters were within the normal clinical reference range. Maximum power increased significantly from t0 to t1 (t0 283.17 ± 83.20 vs. t1 286.24 ± 85.22 Watt, p = 0.009) and there was a trend toward increased peak oxygen uptake (t0 36.82 ± 11.14 vs. t1 38.68 ± 10.26 ml/min/kg, p = 0.069). We found no correlation between LV GLS and performance parameters, except for the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) [ρ -0.316, (-0.501; -0.102), p < 0.050]. Conclusions Significant improvement in LV GLS approximately five months after COVID-19 may be due to mild myocardial involvement during or shortly after COVID-19, which seems to recover. There was no correlation between LV GLS and performance parameters, except for an inverse correlation of LV GLS and RER, suggesting insufficient exercise intolerance at lower GLS values. Further studies on the development of GLS in athletes or in the general population with moderate and severe disease courses would be informative as well as the comparison of pre-COVID-19 with post-COVID-19 echocardiography to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Schellenberg
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - L. Matits
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - D. A. Bizjak
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - J. Kersten
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - J. Kirsten
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - S. Vollrath
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - J. M. Steinacker
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, Ulm, Germany
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Schellenberg J, Ahathaller M, Matits L, Kirsten J, Kersten J, Steinacker JM. Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain as a Parameter of Mild Myocardial Dysfunction in Athletes after COVID-19. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:jcdd10050189. [PMID: 37233156 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10050189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether symptoms during COVID-19 contribute to impaired left ventricular (LV) function remains unclear. We determine LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) between athletes with a positive COVID-19 test (PCAt) and healthy control athletes (CON) and relate it to symptoms during COVID-19. GLS is determined in four-, two-, and three-chamber views and assessed offline by a blinded investigator in 88 PCAt (35% women) (training at least three times per week/>20 MET) and 52 CONs from the national or state squad (38% women) at a median of two months after COVID-19. The results show that the GLS is significantly lower (GLS -18.53 ± 1.94% vs. -19.94 ± 1.42%, p < 0.001) and diastolic function significantly reduces (E/A 1.54 ± 0.52 vs. 1.66 ± 0.43, p = 0.020; E/E'l 5.74 ± 1.74 vs. 5.22 ± 1.36, p = 0.024) in PCAt. There is no association between GLS and symptoms like resting or exertional dyspnea, palpitations, chest pain or increased resting heart rate. However, there is a trend toward a lower GLS in PCAt with subjectively perceived performance limitation (p =0.054). A significantly lower GLS and diastolic function in PCAt compared with healthy peers may indicate mild myocardial dysfunction after COVID-19. However, the changes are within the normal range, so that clinical relevance is questionable. Further studies on the effect of lower GLS on performance parameters are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Schellenberg
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Magdalena Ahathaller
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lynn Matits
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, 89075 Ulm, Germany
- Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Kirsten
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Johannes Kersten
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Ulm Hospital, 89075 Ulm, Germany
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5
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Wiemken TL, McGrath LJ, Andersen KM, Khan F, Malhotra D, Alfred T, Nguyen JL, Puzniak L, Thoburn E, Jodar L, McLaughlin JM. Coronavirus Disease 2019 Severity and Risk of Subsequent Cardiovascular Events. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 76:e42-e50. [PMID: 35984816 PMCID: PMC9907540 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and subsequent risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event (CVE) after COVID-19 recovery. We evaluated this relationship in a large cohort of United States adults. METHODS Using a claims database, we performed a retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with COVID-19 between 1 April 2020 and 31 May 2021. We evaluated the association between COVID-19 severity and risk of CVE >30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis using inverse probability of treatment-weighted competing risks regression. Severity was based on level of care required for COVID-19 treatment: intensive care unit (ICU) admission, non-ICU hospitalization, or outpatient care only. RESULTS A total of 1 357 518 COVID-19 patients were included (2% ICU, 3% non-ICU hospitalization, and 95% outpatient only). Compared to outpatients, there was an increased risk of any CVE for patients requiring ICU admission (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.80 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.71-1.89]) or non-ICU hospitalization (aHR, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.24-1.33]). Risk of subsequent hospitalization for CVE was even higher (aHRs, 3.47 [95% CI, 3.20-3.76] for ICU and 1.96 [95% CI, 1.85-2.09] for non-ICU hospitalized vs outpatient only). CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 patients hospitalized or requiring critical care had a significantly higher risk of experiencing and being hospitalized for post-COVID-19 CVE than patients with milder COVID-19 who were managed solely in the outpatient setting, even after adjusting for differences between these groups. These findings underscore the continued importance of preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from progressing to severe illness to reduce potential long-term cardiovascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy L Wiemken
- Correspondence: T. L. Wiemken, Pfizer Inc, 500 Arcola Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426 ()
| | | | | | - Farid Khan
- Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luis Jodar
- Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, USA
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6
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Gyöngyösi M, Alcaide P, Asselbergs FW, Brundel BJJM, Camici GG, da Costa Martins P, Ferdinandy P, Fontana M, Girao H, Gnecchi M, Gollmann-Tepeköylü C, Kleinbongard P, Krieg T, Madonna R, Paillard M, Pantazis A, Perrino C, Pesce M, Schiattarella GG, Sluijter JPG, Steffens S, Tschöpe C, Van Linthout S, Davidson SM. Long COVID and the cardiovascular system - elucidating causes and cellular mechanisms in order to develop targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies: A joint Scientific Statement of the ESC Working Groups on Cellular Biology of the Heart and Myocardial & Pericardial Diseases. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 119:336-356. [PMID: 35875883 PMCID: PMC9384470 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Long COVID has become a world-wide, non-communicable epidemic, caused by long-lasting multi-organ symptoms that endure for weeks or months after SARS-CoV-2 infection has already subsided. This scientific document aims to provide insight into the possible causes and therapeutic options available for the cardiovascular manifestations of long COVID. In addition to chronic fatigue, which is a common symptom of long COVID, patients may present with chest pain, ECG abnormalities, postural orthostatic tachycardia, or newly developed supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias. Imaging of the heart and vessels has provided evidence of chronic, post-infectious peri-myocarditis with consequent left or right ventricular failure, arterial wall inflammation or micro-thrombosis in certain patient populations. Better understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of long COVID will aid in the development of effective treatment strategies for its cardiovascular manifestations. A number of mechanisms have been proposed, including those involving direct effects on the myocardium, micro-thrombotic damage to vessels or endothelium, or persistent inflammation. Unfortunately, existing circulating biomarkers, coagulation and inflammatory markers, are not highly predictive for either the presence or outcome of long COVID when measured 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are needed to understand underlying mechanisms, identify specific biomarkers and guide future preventive strategies or treatments to address long COVID and its cardiovascular sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann Gyöngyösi
- Corresponding Author: Mariann Gyöngyösi Division of Cardiology, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria Tel.: +43-1-40400-46140 , Fax: +43-1-40400-42160
| | - Pilar Alcaide
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Folkert W Asselbergs
- Department of Cardiology, Division Heart & Lungs, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands,Health Data Research UK and Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bianca J J M Brundel
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni G Camici
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland,University Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paula da Costa Martins
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands,Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Sciences and Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Péter Ferdinandy
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary,Pharmahungary Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Marianna Fontana
- Royal Free Hospital London, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Henrique Girao
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine, Univ Coimbra, Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Massimiliano Gnecchi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Unit of Cardiology, University of Pavia,Unit of Translational Cardiology, Division of Cardiology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Petra Kleinbongard
- Institut für Pathophysiologie, Westdeutsches Herz- und Gefäßzentrum, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krieg
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosalinda Madonna
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Cardiology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Melanie Paillard
- Laboratoire CarMeN-équipe IRIS, INSERM, INRA, Université Claude Bernard Lyon-1, INSA-Lyon, Univ-Lyon, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Antonis Pantazis
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Cardiovascular Research Centre at Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cinzia Perrino
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples
| | - Maurizio Pesce
- Unità di Ingegneria Tissutale cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS
| | - Gabriele G Schiattarella
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy,Center for Cardiovascular Research (CCR), Department of Cardiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Translational Approaches in Heart Failure and Cardiometabolic Disease, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Joost P G Sluijter
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Cardiology, UMC Utrecht Regenerative Medicine Center,Circulatory Health Laboratory, Utrecht University, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine Steffens
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich,Germany and Munich Heart Alliance, DZHK partner site Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité, - Universitätmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Berlin and Dept Cardiology (CVK), Charité, Berlin; Germany
| | - Sophie Van Linthout
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) at Charité, - Universitätmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Berlin and Dept Cardiology (CVK), Charité, Berlin; Germany
| | - Sean M Davidson
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London, 67 Chenies Mews, WC1E 6HX, London, United Kingdom
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Romagnoli S, Sbrollini A, Marcantoni I, Morettini M, Burattini L. Review on Cardiorespiratory Complications after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Young Adult Healthy Athletes. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095680. [PMID: 35565074 PMCID: PMC9101647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
This review analyzes scientific data published in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim to report the cardiorespiratory complications observed after SARS-CoV-2 infection in young adult healthy athletes. Fifteen studies were selected using PRISMA guidelines. A total of 4725 athletes (3438 males and 1287 females) practicing 19 sports categories were included in the study. Information about symptoms was released by 4379 (93%) athletes; of them, 1433 (33%) declared to be asymptomatic, whereas the remaining 2946 (67%) reported the occurrence of symptoms with mild (1315; 45%), moderate (821; 28%), severe (1; 0%) and unknown (809; 27%) severity. The most common symptoms were anosmia (33%), ageusia (32%) and headache (30%). Cardiac magnetic resonance identified the largest number of cardiorespiratory abnormalities (15.7%). Among the confirmed inflammations, myocarditis was the most common (0.5%). In conclusion, the low degree of symptom severity and the low rate of cardiac abnormalities suggest that the risk of significant cardiorespiratory involvement after SARS-CoV-2 infection in young adult athletes is likely low; however, the long-term physiologic effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are not established yet. Extensive cardiorespiratory screening seems excessive in most cases, and classical pre-participation cardiovascular screening may be sufficient.
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