Anthropometric and Physiological Parameter Changes in Bodybuilders during the COVID Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic infects athletes in different ways. Some ceased their training due to infection. Others reduced training due to closure of sports clubs. Some were able to continiue their training as usual while. The aims of this study were two-fold: (i) test the between-group effect of different levels of training over a 6-week period and (ii) test the within-group changes regarding body composition and fitness levels. Methods Thirty-six male bodybuilders (age = 24–33 yrs) with a minimum of two years training experience volunteered to participate. Athletes were categorized as those who were healthy and continued their training program (CTR, n = 12), healthy and ceased their training program (HWT, n = 12), and infected and ceased their training program (INF, n = 12). Participants were measured for maximal muscle strength in a chest press and squat before and after a period of 6-weeks. In addition, skinfolds were used to examine body composition changes over the 6-week period. Pre-pandemic data for anthropometric and physiological parameters of these subjects were available from their club. Before athletes returned to exercise in training groups, cardiovascular symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, tachycardia, and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sneezing, sore throat, asthma, and bronchial hypersensitivity after infection were assessed and their clinical manifestation reported. Repeated-measures ANOVA wasused to compare pre- and post-parameters, with Tukey post-hoc tests used to assess significance. Results Post-test results revealed that bodybuilders who were infected with COVID-19 virus had significantly greater weight and lean body mass losses compared to the other two groups. Also, their 1RM squat and chest press exercises had greater decreased (p < 0.005). Clinical manifestations of the virus showed a return to normal ranges following two weeks of training. Conclusion Lack of training caused changes in body composition and upper- and lower-body muscle strength of bodybuilders. If cessation of training coincides with the COVID-19 virus, the intensity of these changes were exacerbated. It is recommended that training of those who have recovered from the coronavirus be closely monitored for at least two weeks so that medical actions can be promptly implemented if a clinical incidence occurs.