Effects of COVID-19 on diaphragmatic thickness and physical performance of athletes

• Autor(a) principal: Souza Farias, Alliny
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Ortega Soloaga, Aline, Rezende, Luiz Carlos, Zanatto, Sander Fric, da Silva, Vanessa Mandú, Coelho-Ravagnani, Christianne de Faria
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng; por
• Título da fonte: Fisioterapia em Movimento
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.pucpr.br/fisio/article/view/30639

Studies suggest that diaphragmatic thickness (ED) is associated with inspiratory muscle strength and, consequently, better ventilatory and mechanical efficiency. On the other hand, infectious diseases like COVID-19 can impact the structure and function of the respiratory system. Objective: To evaluate the association between ED and physical performance (PD) of athletes and the effects of COVID-19 infection on these parameters. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 63 athletes from different sports, of both sexes (female: 16.67 ± 5.03 years, 52.09 ± 14.01 kg, 155.90 ± 13.86 cm ; male 23.44 ± 9.65 years, 72.24 ± 14.18 kg, 174.84 ± 6.84 cm), who were submitted to ED evaluation by means of ultrasound and then to the DF test (Yo -Yo test) to determine the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). Pearson's correlation was used to verify the association between VO2max and ED, and Student's t test was used to verify differences between athletes with positive and negative diagnoses for COVID-19. The significance level was adjusted to 5%. Results: There was no association between ED and DF (r = 0.30 and p = 0.22) and there was no difference between uninfected and infected athletes with COVID-19 in relation to ED (57.00 ± 0.26 vs 52 .00 ± 0.25%; p = 0.91) and FD (43.88 ± 2.29 vs 38.34 ± 13.61 ml/kg/min; p = 0.69). Conclusion: ED was not associated with maximal oxygen consumption in athletes. In addition, athletes infected with COVID-19 did not show differences in VO2max and ED compared to non-infected ones.