Physiological And Biomechanical Responses To Endurance Training With An Active Covid-19 Infection: A Case Study

There is limited data detailing acute physiological and biomechanical effects of COVID-19 in healthy populations. Early recommendations urged for conservative rest given the incidence of medical complications; however, exercise is not discouraged for other respiratory infections and does not alter severity or duration. Understanding exercise responses to active COVID-19 is warranted. PURPOSE: Present physiological and biomechanical responses during endurance running in an individual with active COVID-19 infection. METHODS: This is a case study of a 32 yr old female endurance runner (World Athletics score: 869; half marathon time: 1:22:19; VO2 max: 57.1 ml/kg/min) enrolled in a larger (n = 218) trial investigating wearable technology during marathon training. Previously vaccinated thrice, the subject tested positive for COVID-19 during the study, enabling convenience sampling during the acute stage. The participant completed the same 5mi run at a comparable pace 3 days prior, on the day of positive test, and 3 days post, allowing for comparison. Training routine was unchanged during infection. Symptoms, heart rate (HR), and biomechanical (cadence, ground contact time, stride length and vertical oscillation) data were collected daily using a smart watch. RESULTS: HR and biomechanical data (Table) were similar across trials. Three days after the positive test, there were slight increases in peak and average HR and higher proportion of time in HR Zone 5. Peak and average cadence were slightly reduced. Symptoms and their duration were within reported CDC averages and no long-term consequences were reported. CONCLUSION: This case maintained training levels during active COVID-19 infection without affecting illness severity, with slight increase in average training HR and slower HR recovery post-training. This study received funding from Apple, Inc. The funding source had no role in the analysis andinterpretation of the data or in the submission of this abstractThis study received funding from Apple, Inc. The funding source had no role in the analysis and interpretation of the data or in the submission of this abstract.