Moustafa Ibrahim M, Ahbouch Amal, Kader Raheesa P, Shousha Tamer Mohamed, Alrahoomi Abdulla
Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, RIMHS-Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
J Clin Med. 2024 Apr 24;13(9):2469. doi: 10.3390/jcm13092469.
Long COVID presents a concern for collegiate athletes, potentially impacting sensorimotor processing and motor fitness. This study aimed to assess these effects. This cross-sectional study involved 60 athletes diagnosed with Long COVID and 60 controls. Sensorimotor processing and integration were evaluated using neurophysiological variables (N13, P14, N20, P27, and N30), while motor fitness was assessed through balance, agility, and vertical jump testing. T-tests compared groups, and Pearson's correlations explored relationships. Significant differences ( < 0.001) were observed in neurophysiological variables and motor fitness between Long COVID and control groups. Fatigue correlated positively ( < 0.001) with neurophysiological variables in Long COVID cases but not with motor fitness ( = 0.08, = 0.07, = 0.09). Collegiate athletes with Long COVID exhibit abnormal sensorimotor processing, integration, and diminished motor fitness compared to uninfected peers. The fatigue severity of Long COVID correlates with neurophysiological changes, suggesting a link between sensorimotor deficits and fatigue. Targeted interventions for sensorimotor deficits and fatigue management are crucial for athletes recovering from Long COVID. This study underscores the importance of addressing these issues to optimize the recovery and performance of collegiate athletes affected by Long COVID.
长新冠对大学生运动员来说是一个令人担忧的问题，可能会影响感觉运动处理和运动体能。本研究旨在评估这些影响。这项横断面研究纳入了60名被诊断为长新冠的运动员和60名对照组。使用神经生理学变量（N13、P14、N20、P27和N30）评估感觉运动处理和整合，同时通过平衡、敏捷性和垂直跳跃测试评估运动体能。采用t检验比较组间差异，并通过Pearson相关性分析探索关系。长新冠组和对照组在神经生理学变量和运动体能方面存在显著差异（<0.001）。在长新冠病例中，疲劳与神经生理学变量呈正相关（<0.001），但与运动体能无关（=0.08，=0.07，=0.09）。与未感染的同龄人相比，患有长新冠的大学生运动员表现出异常的感觉运动处理、整合以及运动体能下降。长新冠的疲劳严重程度与神经生理学变化相关，表明感觉运动缺陷与疲劳之间存在联系。针对感觉运动缺陷和疲劳管理的针对性干预对于从长新冠中恢复的运动员至关重要。本研究强调了解决这些问题对于优化受长新冠影响的大学生运动员的恢复和表现的重要性。
