Soccer functional assessment pre and postisolation due to Covid-19: detraining effects on strength, aerobic values and lower limb strength asymmetry

BACKGROUND: The infectious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-COV 2 virus has been identified with the acronym COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019). On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID- 19 a pandemic considering the over 118,000 cases of the Coronavirus illness in over 110 countries and territories around the world; and the sustained risk of further global spread. This situation provoked a widespread cancelation or postponement of sporting events and sporting training, including soccer. The study aimed to verify and describe the detraining levels determined by the lockdown in professional soccer players METHODS: Twenty-six soccer players belonging to the same team (26.07±3.96 years, 180.62±4.01 cm, 76.88±2.51 kg). In the prelockdown and post-lockdown have been evaluated anthropometric parameters, jump test, sprint test, incremental test for the determination of VMA and V̇ O2max. RESULTS: The observed sample showed statistically significant differences in: weight (P<0.001), BMI (P<0.0005), CMJ (P<0.0005), SJ (P<0.0005), Léger Test (P<0.0005), sprint test 10 m (P<0.0005), left hop and right hop (P<0.0005), hop test asymmetry percentage (P<0.0005), side left and right hop (P<0.0005) and side hop asymmetry percentage (P<0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The long period of inactivity or partial activity has changed the player’s profile. The decreases in all assessments indicate that individual training at home does not seem to be sufficient to maintain the adaptations obtained during the regular season.