Description
In recent years, pandemic restrictions have reduced people's physical activity, and getting sick with Covid-19 could negatively impact aerobic capacity, which is one of the most important indicators of physical fitness level and health.The aim. To study the aerobic capacity of the applicants of the study programme 'Health Sports Specialist', their changes during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact of getting sick with Covid-19 on the aerobic capacity of the applicants.. The participants of the study were applicants of the professional study programme "Health Sports Specialist", aerobic tests were conducted in July – August 2019 (n=74, 70.3% female) and 2022 (n=73, 72.6% female). The World Health Organization cycle ergometer test was used to determine aerobic capacity, performed on the "Monark Ergomedic 839E" cycle ergometer. Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 27 statistical software.. In 2019, VO2max of all applicants was 36.7 (±8.4) ml/kg/min. In 2022, the VO2max of all applicants was 34.1 (±8.1) ml/kg/min. During this time period, the participants' aerobic capacity (VO2max) has significantly (p<0.05) decreased by an average of 2.6 ml/kg/min (male by 4.2 ml/kg/min, female by 1.7 ml/kg /min), or by 7.1% (9.8% for male, 5.0% for female).
From July 1, 2021, until July 1, 2022, 46 (63%) applicants got sick with Covid-19, and 27 (37%) did not get sick. The median (Q1-Q3) value of aerobic capacity for applicants who fell ill is 33.8 (26.4-40.5) ml/kg/min, those who did not fall sick is 34.9 (29.4-40.1) ml/ kg/min. VO2max was on average 1.1 ml/kg/min, or 3.2% lower in the sick respondents, however, this difference is not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney test, p=0.420).. The aerobic capacity of the applicants had significantly decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic period, however, the decrease in aerobic capacity had not been considerably affected by becoming ill with Covid-19.
| Period | 29 Mar 2023 → 31 Mar 2023 |
|---|---|
| Event title | RSU Research week 2023: Society. Health. Welfare |
| Event type | Conference |
| Conference number | 9 |
| Organiser | Rīga Stradiņš University |
| Location | Riga, LatviaShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |