Midterm Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on Respiratory Function in Judokas With and Without Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES

The clinical consequences of coronavirus infection in elite judokas with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) are unclear. We aimed to determine potential respiratory function abnormalities and recovery in athletes with and without EIB after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Türkiye Olympic Preparation Centre.

PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective study analyzed data collected from 25 consecutive elite judokas diagnosed with and without EIB and SARS-CoV-2 infection, routinely followed at an Olympic Sports Center between September 2020 and 2021.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function data were collected before and up to 90 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV 1 /FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF).

RESULTS

Infected athletes with EIB had more markedly reduced respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function than those without EIB. Maximal inspiratory pressure was decreased by 14% and MEP by 8% from baseline in infected athletes with EIB during follow-up. Likewise, FEV 1 and FVC decreased by 4%. Maximal inspiratory pressure, MEP, FEV 1 , and FVC remained abnormal after 90 days of SARS-CoV-2 infection in EIB athletes but normalized rapidly in non-EIB athletes. Peak expiratory flow seemed unaffected during follow-up. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction severity was moderately correlated with the maximum fall in MEP during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection notably decreases respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in judokas, especially those with pre-existing EIB, thereby prolonging spontaneous recovery time.