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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2605-5626
Review

Impact of COVID-19 infection on physical performance of soccer players: a systematic review

Koulla Parpa 
1   Sports and Exercise Science, University of Central Lancashire – Cyprus Campus, Pyla, Cyprus (Ringgold ID: RIN403301)
,
Marcos A. Michaelides 
1   Sports and Exercise Science, University of Central Lancashire – Cyprus Campus, Pyla, Cyprus (Ringgold ID: RIN403301)
,
Ana Carolina Paludo
2   Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus Department of Psychology, Nicosia, Cyprus (Ringgold ID: RIN551929)
,
Karuppasamy Govindasamy 
3   Department of Sports, Recreation and Wellness, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Hyderabad Campus, Telangana, India (Ringgold ID: RIN93104)
,
Konstantina Intziegianni
1   Sports and Exercise Science, University of Central Lancashire – Cyprus Campus, Pyla, Cyprus (Ringgold ID: RIN403301)
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Abstract

This review sought to identify the impact of COVID-19 infection on the physical performance parameters of soccer players. The systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA guidelines. The following databases were searched up to the end of October 2024: MEDLINE, Scopus, Mendeley, SPORTDiscus, and Google Scholar. Studies conducted on professional and semi-professional adult male soccer players were considered. For a study to be included, it had to report at least one outcome measure both before and after COVID-19 infection. At the end of the screening procedure, a total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The reviewed studies on V̇O2 max showed mixed results. One study reported a significant (p<0.01) decrease 60 days post-infection, while others found no change or even an increase 1-year post-pandemic. Pulmonary function assessment revealed a significant (p<0.01) increase in respiratory work, whereas one study found no significant changes at rest. GPS (Global Positioning System) -based studies reported a significant (p<0.05) reduction in high-intensity accelerations, decelerations, and high-speed running post-COVID-19, while one study found no differences between infected and non-infected players. Strength, power, and anaerobic power showed no significant decline. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample sizes and limited number of studies.

Keywords

SARS-CoV-2 - return to play - isolation - football - game performance


Publication History

Received: 30 November 2024

Accepted after revision: 08 May 2025

Article published online:
16 June 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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