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Comparative Analysis of Heart Rate Variability and Arterial Stiffness in Elite Male Athletes after COVID-19
Mohamed M Ammar1, Noureddine M Ben Said2, Younes N Ben Said3
1Exercise Physiology Department, College of Sport Science and Physical Activities, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Elite male athletes show cardiovascular resilience post-COVID-19, with maintained heart rate variability (HRV) and improved lung function. Minor vascular changes suggest adaptive responses, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can have long-term health implications.
- Elite athletes may experience unique physiological responses to viral infections.
- Understanding cardiovascular effects in athletes post-COVID-19 is crucial for their health and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 in elite male athletes.
- To compare heart rate variability (HRV), arterial stiffness, and other cardiovascular parameters between athletes with and without prior COVID-19 infection.
- To assess the cardiovascular resilience and adaptive responses in elite athletes following COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 120 elite male athletes (60 post-COVID-19, 60 controls).
- Evaluated anthropometrics, body composition, pulmonary function, HRV, arterial stiffness, hemodynamics, and microcirculation.
- Utilized statistical analyses to compare cardiovascular parameters between groups.
Main Results:
- Athletes post-COVID-19 had significantly higher lean mass and improved pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1).
- No significant differences in heart rate variability (HRV) were observed between groups.
- Post-COVID-19 athletes showed increased peripheral vascular resistance and reflection index, with no changes in blood pressure or cardiac output.
Conclusions:
- Elite male athletes demonstrate significant cardiovascular resilience following COVID-19.
- Maintained cardiac autonomic function and enhanced lung parameters suggest adaptive physiological responses.
- Findings support cardiovascular health in elite athletes post-COVID-19, underscoring the need for continued monitoring.
Abstract:
This study investigated the long-term cardiovascular effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in elite male athletes by comparing the heart rate variability (HRV), arterial stiffness, and other cardiovascular parameters between those with and without prior COVID-19 infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 120 elite male athletes (60 post COVID-19, 60 controls) using anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis, pulmonary function tests, HRV analysis, arterial stiffness assessments, hemodynamic monitoring, and microcirculatory function tests. Results: Athletes post COVID-19 showed significantly higher lean mass (p = 0.007), forced vital capacity (p = 0.001), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (p = 0.007) than controls. HRV parameters did not significantly differ between the groups. Post-COVID-19 athletes exhibited peripheral vascular resistance (p = 0.048) and reflection index (p = 0.038). No significant differences were observed in the blood pressure, cardiac output, oxygen saturation, or microcirculatory oxygen absorption. Conclusions: Elite male athletes showed notable cardiovascular resilience after COVID-19, with only minor differences in vascular function. The maintained cardiac autonomic function and improved lung parameters in post-COVID-19 athletes suggests an adaptive response. These findings support the cardiovascular health of elite athletes following COVID-19 but emphasize the importance of continued monitoring.
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