A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Aerobic Fitness Dynamics in Post-COVID-19 Athletes: Implications in the Return-to-Play Performance.

ABSTRACT: Maximal oxygen uptake (V.O₂max) assesses athletic performance; however, its values are inconsistent in post-COVID-19 athletes. This study aimed to analyze the dynamics of V.O₂max in post-COVID-19 athletes. Observational studies were identified by screening the PubMed database published up to 17 July 2023. The initial electronic search found 320 studies. Of these, 26 employing the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to assess aerobic fitness were selected. Of the 2625 pooled athletes, 1464 were infected and considered as the post-COVID-19 group, either asymptomatic or symptomatic, while the remaining 1161, who were uninfected or had V.O₂max results prior to infection, were defined as the infection-free group. Age and V.O₂max were differently dist

SUBMITTER: Lopes LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11860767 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature