Abstract:
CONTEXT : SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect the exercise
response in athletes. Factors associated with the exercise
response have not been reported.
OBJECTIVE : To (1) describe heart rate (HR), systolic blood
pressure (SBP), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses
to exercise in athletes with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection and (2)
identify factors affecting exercise responses.
DESIGN : Cross-sectional, experimental study.
PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTCIPANTS : Male and female athletes
(age ¼ 24.2 6 6.3 years) with a recent (,28 days) SARS-CoV-2
infection (n ¼ 72).
SETTING : A COVID-19 Recovery Clinic for athletes.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) : Heart rate, SBP, and RPE
were measured during submaximal exercise (modified Bruce
protocol) at 10 to 28 days after SARS-CoV-2 symptom
onset. Selected factors (demographics, sport, comorbidities,
preinfection training variables, and symptoms during the
acute phase of the infection) affecting the exercise response
were analyzed using random coefficient (linear mixed)
models.
RESULTS : Heart rate, SBP, and RPE increased progressively
from rest to stage 5 of the exercise test (P ¼ .0001). At stage 5
(10.1 metabolic equivalents), a higher HR and a higher SBP during
exercise were associated with younger age (P ¼ .0007) and
increased body mass index (BMI; P ¼ .009), respectively. Higher
RPE during exercise was significantly associated with a greater
number of whole-body (P ¼ .006) and total number (P ¼ .004) of
symptoms during the acute phase of infection.
CONCLUSIONS : A greater number of symptoms during the
acute infection was associated with a higher RPE during exercise
in athletes at 10 to 28 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
We recommend measuring RPE during the first exercise challenge
after infection, as this may indicate disease severity and
be valuable for tracking progress, recovery, and return to sport.
