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Virus infections and sports performance--a prospective study
J A Roberts1, J A Wilson, G B Clements
1Department of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital.
British Journal of Sports Medicine
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Viral infections do not appear to cause decreased athletic performance in elite track and field athletes. Elevated antibody levels to viruses like Coxsackie B should be cautiously interpreted when assessing athlete performance issues.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Virology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Anecdotal evidence links infections to reduced athletic performance.
- Unexplained performance declines in athletes are often blamed on infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the impact of viral infections on elite track and field athletes' performance.
- To determine if subclinical viral infections affect athletic form.
Main Methods:
- Prospective monitoring of 68 elite track and field athletes during winter training.
- Assessment of athlete form using subjective and semi-objective analogue scale questionnaires.
- Serological testing for viral infections, including Coxsackie B viruses.
Main Results:
- 54% of athletes had elevated neutralizing antibody titers to Coxsackie B viruses (1-5).
- 79% showed serological evidence of past viral infection.
- Elevated antibody titers did not correlate with poor performance; no link found between subclinical infection and loss of form.
Conclusions:
- Elevated antibody levels to Coxsackie B and other common viruses should be interpreted cautiously in athletes reporting poor performance.
- Current study found no evidence that viral infections cause decreased athletic performance in this cohort.