Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in unvaccinated athletes before and after COVID-19 infection: A prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

We investigated abnormalities and recovery in respiratory function after COVID-19 infection in an unvaccinated elite athlete population.

METHODS

Measurements included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF).

RESULTS

The most frequent reported symptoms were fatigue with 80% and muscle/joint pain and headache with 50%, whereas only 10% reported dyspnoea and 30% cough. During follow-up, MIP was up to 13% and MEP up to 8% lower following COVID-19 infection. Likewise, FEV₁ was up to 2% and FVC up to 5% lower. While MEP and FEV₁ rapidly normalised, MIP and FVC still remained abnormal after 52 days of COVID-19 infection, thereby leading to a restrictive ventilatory pattern. PEF seemed unaffected during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 decreases respiratory function in unvaccinated athletes despite reporting few respiratory symptoms and having mild disease. An initiative aimed at reducing the long-term adverse effects following COVID-19 infection seems warranted, which perhaps may be avoided through vaccination.

Post-Operative Results of ACL Reconstruction Techniques on Single-Leg Hop Tests in Athletes: Hamstring Autograft vs. Hamstring Grafts Fixed Using Adjustable Cortical Suspension in Both the Femur and Tibia

Background and Objectives: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common injuries in the athletic population, and accordingly, ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is among the most common orthopedic surgical procedures performed in sports medicine. This study aims to compare the semitendinosus/gracilis (ST/G) and ACL hamstring grafts fixed using adjustable cortical suspension in both the femur and tibia (MAI) ACLR techniques. We aimed to compare the results of single-leg hop tests (SLHT) applied in different directions and limb symmetry indices (LSI) in athletes with a 6-month post-operative ACLR history. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort of 39 athletes from various sports branches who underwent MAI (n = 16) and ST/G (n = 23) ACLR techniques by the same surgeon were evaluated. The knee strength of the participants on the operated and non-operated sides was evaluated with five different SLHTs. The SLHT included the single hop for distance (SH), triple hop for distance (TH), crossover triple hop for distance (CH), medial side triple hop for distance (MSTH), and medial rotation (90°) hop for distance (MRH). Results: There was a significant improvement in the mean Lysholm, Tegner, and IKDC scores in the post-operative leg for both techniques (p < 0.05) compared to the pre-operative levels. When there was a difference between the SH of the operative and the non-operative legs in the ST/G technique (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in the other hop distance for both ST/G and MAI (p > 0.05). There was no difference between the techniques regarding the LSI scores. Conclusions: The fact that our research revealed similar LSI rates of the SLHTs applied in different directions in the ST/G and MAI techniques assumes that the MAI technique can be an ACLR technique which can be functionally used in athletes.

Correlation of bilateral and ipsilateral strength ratios with balance in female taekwondo athletes

<p>This study aimed to analyze preferred leg (PLs) and non-preferred leg (NPLs) isokinetic knee strength, lateral asymmetry ratios and to examine their correlation with static balance. Sixteen female taekwondo (TKD) athletes voluntarily participated in the study. Knee isokinetic extension (Ex) and flexion (Flx) strength were measured in concentric / concentric (Con / Con) contractions at angular velocities of 60°/s, 180°/s, and 240°/s. Ipsilateral hamstring / quadriceps (H/Q) and bilateral (H/H and Q /Q) ratios were calculated. Static balances were determined by taking the center of body pressure in X (COPX) and Y (COPY) axis. Paired sample <em>t</em>-test and Pearson correlation tests were used in statistical analysis. When the isokinetic knee strength was examined, it was found that 60°/s angular velocity parameter was significantly different in Flx phase while 180°/s and 240°/s angular velocities were found to be significantly different in Ex phase in favor of PLs. There was no significance in bilateral and ipsilateral strength ratios of all angular velocities. There was a significant correlation between 240°/s HQ and COPX in terms of ipsilateral asymmetry ratios whereas a significant correlation was found between 60°/s HH and COPX in terms of bilateral asymmetry ratios. It was found that there were differences in strength between PL and NPLs, but no asymmetry was observed. There was no high level of correlation between lateral asymmetry ratios and balance in female TKD practitioners.</p>