ORIGINAL RESEARCH                                                                                                                         
 

                                                                                                                                                                
 

1    SAJSM VOL.  34 NO.1 2022 

 

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License  

 

Changes in training activity post COVID-19 infection in recreational 
runners and cyclists 

 

A Emeran,¹,²,³         BSc (Hons); EV Lambert,¹,²         PhD;  

T Paruk,¹,²         MSc; A Bosch,¹,²         PhD  
 

¹ UCT Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity Lifestyle and 

Sport (HPALS), Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, 

University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa 
2 International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Collaborative Centre 

of Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa 
3 National Research Foundation (NRF), Cape Town, South Africa 
 
Corresponding author: A Bosch (andrew.bosch@uct.ac.za) 

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major 

impact on morbidity and mortality globally.[1] 

Fortunately, most COVID-19 cases have been 

classified as mild to moderate.[2] However, 

even with mild illness severity, individuals may still require a 

prolonged time to full recovery, particularly when returning 

to exercise. Anecdotal evidence shows that many individuals, 

including athletes, have difficulty returning to their normal 

level of exercise post infection.[3] Symptoms challenging 

athletes’ return to exercise include coughing, tachycardia, and 

fatigue.[4] There is limited research on the effect of COVID-19 

on the exercise activity of athletes post infection, with several 

studies reporting minimal impairment of exercise capacity on 

cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in athletes post 

COVID-19.[5,6] To our knowledge,  no research has been 

undertaken on objectively measured training data obtained 

from runners and cyclists pre- and post COVID-19 infection.  

The current study aims to address the gap in knowledge for 

the above by describing the perceptions of recreational runners 

and cyclists recovering from COVID-19 on their training 

activity and general well-being. In a sub-sample, we will 

compare objectively measured training data in runners and 

cyclists pre- and post COVID-19 infection with non-infected 

controls who experienced a training interruption. The study 

differs from existing studies, as instead of using exercise 

testing, exercise data from participants’ Global Positioning 

System (GPS) wearable devices were used to determine 

whether a change in exercise activity occurred post infection. 

To our knowledge, this is the first study to measure exercise 

activity of athletes pre- and post infection using GPS wearable 

data. This study will potentially drive interest in conducting 

further studies on different populations and in various sporting 

fields using similar methods to better understand the potential 

impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the exercise activity of 

athletes. 

 

Methods 

Study design and participants  

The study is an observational study on recreational runners and 

cyclists predominantly from South Africa (two international 

participants were included). Participants were recruited using 

convenient, non-randomised sampling, via emailing running 

and cycling clubs in South Africa, and advertising the study on 

social media and at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. 

The advertisement included a basic description of the study 

and a link to the study’s website. The website page contained 

links to the study’s participation information sheet containing 

instructions on how to download their GPS data, the informed 

consent form, and a study questionnaire via Google forms.  

Inclusion criteria were runners and cyclists over the age of 18 

that reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, had attempted to 

return to exercise post infection, and used a GPS wearable 

device that measures heart rate. A control group that had not 

been infected with COVID-19 but had an interruption in 

training of two weeks or more was also included in the study. 

Training interruption was defined as a complete cessation of 

running or cycling training, not associated with COVID-19 

infection.  

All participants provided informed consent via the study’s 

online Google forms questionnaire. The study received ethics 

approval from the Faculty of Health Sciences Human Research 

Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests that athletes 

struggle to return to exercise post COVID-19 infection. 

However, studies evaluating the effect of COVID-19 on 

athletes’ exercise activity are limited.  

Objectives: The objectives of this study were: (i) to describe 

the perceptions of recreational runners and cyclists recovering 

from COVID-19 on their training activity and general well-

being, (ii) to compare device-measured training data in 

runners and cyclists pre- and post COVID-19, with non-

infected controls that had a training interruption.  

Methods: Participants who were recruited via social media 

completed an online questionnaire (n=61), including 

demographic, health and COVID-19 descriptive data. In a 

sub-sample, device-measured training data (heart rate, time, 

distance and speed, n=27) were obtained from GPS devices for 

four weeks before infection and on resumption of training. 

Similar data were collected for the control group (n=9) whose 

training had been interrupted but by factors excluding 

COVID-19. 

Results: Most participants experienced a mild to moderate 

illness (91%) that was associated with a training interruption 

time of two-four weeks. Decreases in heart rate, relative 

exercise intensity, speed, time and distance were observed 

during the first week of returning to training for both groups, 

followed by an increase from Week two onwards. 

Discussion: Results failed to support a ‘COVID-19 effect’ on 

exercise activity as reductions in training variables occurred 

in both the COVID-19 and control groups. A possible 

explanation for the reductions observed is a deliberate 

gradual return to training by athletes post-COVID-19.  

Conclusion: More research is needed using device-measured 

training data prior to and post COVID-19 infection to better 

understand the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the 

exercise activity of athletes.  

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, physical activity, 

training activity, relative exercise intensity 
 
S Afr J Sports Med 2022;34:1-7. DOI: 10.17159/2078-516X/2022/v34i1a13758    

mailto:andrew.bosch@uct.ac.za
http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2078-516X/2022/v34i1a13758
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2217-6608
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4315-9153
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9543-9408
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9073-702X


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Ethics Committee at the University of Cape Town (Ref. No. 

409/2021). This study complies with the latest version of the 

Declaration of Helsinki (2013), as well as the Department of 

Health: Ethics in Health Research: Principles Structures and 

Processes (2004). 

This study was a “proof-of-concept study”. Thus, a sample 

size calculation was not performed. 

 
Questionnaire 

A questionnaire on Google forms was provided for the 

participants to complete. Demographic, health, and training 

self-reported data were obtained. For the 42 persons who 

reported having tested positive for COVID-19, additional data 

were captured, including the duration of their COVID-19, 

COVID-19 symptoms, and COVID-19 severity. For the control 

group, the reason for their training interruption and training 

interruption duration were also obtained. 

 

GPS data 

Participants were required to download their GPS wearable 

device data by following the instructions provided in the 

participation information sheet. Thereafter, participants sent 

their training data to the researcher to be analysed. Participants 

were required to send GPS data from four weeks pre-training 

interruption to four weeks post return to training.  

Raw data were sorted and filtered on Microsoft Excel (version 

2110) to include the following variables: average and peak heart 

rate during training per week (bpm), average and maximum 

speed per week (min/km), total time training per week (min), 

total distance per week (km), with variables being averaged for 

each week. Change in training activity was measured by 

comparing the above training variables pre and post-training 

interruption. Relative exercise intensity was determined by 

calculating age-corrected maximum heart rate using the HUNT 

equation (211-0.64*age)[7] and dividing the average heart rate 

for each week by the maximum heart rate.  

 

Statistical analysis 

The program IBM SPSS Statistics 27 and GraphPad Prism 9 

were used to conduct statistical analyses. Data were expressed 

as number and percentage for categorical variables and mean 

and standard deviation for continuous variables. Pearson Chi-

squared tests and independent t-tests were used to determine 

any differences in categorical and continuous variables 

between the two groups. Repeated measures analysis of 

variance (ANOVA) was run to determine within-group and 

between-group differences in the GPS data of participants. 

Correlations were determined using Spearman’s rank 

correlation tests. Statistical significance was set at a P-value of 

<0.05.  

 

Results 

A total of 61 participants provided consent to participate in the 

study and completed the questionnaires, with 42 individuals 

being in the COVID-19 group, and 19 in the control group. Of 

those that completed the questionnaire, 38 participants 

provided their GPS data (COVID-19: N=27; Controls: N= 11). 

The data of two control participants were removed prior to 

analysis due to training data not meeting inclusion criteria, 

reducing the GPS control sample to nine.  

 
Questionnaire 

COVID-19 and control group characteristics 

No statistically significant differences were found in baseline 

characteristics of participants (p>0.05) (Table 1). Most 

participants in both groups were above the age of 40 (~70%), 

were male (~74%), had a normal BMI (~67%), and were runners 

(~48%). Most participants used Garmin wearable devices 

(without a chest strap to measure heart rate, ~59%). The most 

frequent training interruption length was between 2-4 weeks 

for the COVID-19 group (45%), and 1-3 months for the control 

group (32%) (p=0.054). The most common cause of training 

interruption for the control group was COVID-19 lockdown 

restrictions. 

 

 

Table 1. Demographic and training characteristics of the COVID-19 
and control group 

Characteristics  
COVID-19 

n=42 

Control 

n=19 

P 

value 

Age (years) 

19-29 

30-40 

40-50 

50-60 

>60 

 

3 (7) 

11 (26) 

17 (41) 

10 (24) 

1 (2) 

 

1 (5) 

4 (21) 

6 (32) 

7 (37) 

1 (5) 

0.806 

Sex 

Male 

Female 

 

27 (64) 

15 (36) 

 

16 (84) 

3 (16) 

0.114 

BMI (kg/m²) 

Underweight 

Normal weight 

Overweight 

Obese 

 

1 (2) 

28 (67) 

10 (24) 

3 (7) 

 

0 (0) 

13 (68) 

3 (16) 

3 (16) 

0.605 

Sport 

Runner 

Cyclist 

Runner and Cyclist 

 

20 (48) 

5 (12) 

17 (41) 

 

9 (47) 

2 (11) 

8 (42) 

0.985 

Chest strap  

Yes 

No 

 

19 (45) 

23 (55) 

 

7 (20) 

12 (63) 

0.539 

Training interruption time 

(weeks) 

0-2 weeks 

2-4 weeks 

1-3 months 

>3months 

 

 

10 (24) 

19 (45) 

13 (31) 

0 (0) 

 

 

1 (5) 

5 (26) 

8 (32) 

5 (26) 

0.054 

Reasons for training 

interruption of control group 

Lockdown restrictions 

Illness (excluding COVID-19) 

Injury 

Other 

  

 

14 (74) 

1 (5) 

1 (5) 

3 (16) 

 

Data are shown as the number of participants and column percentage (%). P 

values from Pearson Chi-squared test. Underweight, <18.5kg/m2; normal 

weight, 18.5-29.9kg/m2; Overweight, 25-29.9kg/m2; Obese, >30kg/m2. 



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3    SAJSM VOL.  34 NO.1 2022 

 

COVID-19 group characteristics 

Table 2 shows health and COVID-19 

related characteristics of the COVID-19 

group. Most participants had no 

comorbidities (69%) and were 

unvaccinated before and after being 

infected with COVID-19 (57%). The most 

frequent acute COVID-19 symptoms 

reported were headaches (79%), body 

aches (74%), and fatigue (74%). Symptom 

duration was most frequently between 0-

2 weeks (60%). COVID-19 severity was 

mild to moderate for most participants 

(91%) with only one participant being 

hospitalised. The type of treatment 

reported varied, with most participants 

using over-the-counter medication such 

as paracetamol (56%). About 58% of 

participants said that they followed 

guidelines for return to training from 

their doctors. However, only 16% of 

participants reported being medically 

screened before returning to exercise. The 

most frequent symptoms reported when 

returning to training were increased 

heart rate (58%), and fatigue (53%). 

Positive correlations were found 

between COVID-19 severity and number 

of symptoms (r=0.50 [95% CI= 0.21-0.70]; 

p=0.001), symptom duration (r=0.55 [95% 

CI=0.27-0.74]; p<0.001), and training 

interruption time (r=0.52 [95% CI= 0.24-

0.72]; p<0.001). There were also 

correlations between number of 

symptoms and symptom duration (r=0.42 

[95% CI=0.12-0.65]; p=0.006), and 

interruption time (r=0.49 [95% CI=0.20-

0.70]; p=0.001).  

 
GPS data 

Training interruption time 

There was a statistically significant 

difference in the training interruption 

time between the COVID-19 group and 

the control group with GPS data. The 

control group had a longer training 

interruption time than the COVID-19 

participants (33 ± 11 days vs 20 ± 13 days,

Table 2. Comorbidities, COVID-19 presentation, and treatment in the COVID-19 group (N=42) 
  N (%) 

Comorbidities* 

Diabetes 1 (2) 

High Blood pressure 3 (7) 

Cholesterol 4 (10) 

Obesity 1 (2) 

Asthma 8 (19) 

Autoimmune disease 0 (0) 

None 29 (69) 

COVID-19 

presentation 

COVID-19 Symptoms*  

Cough 25 (58) 

Fever  23 (54) 

Sore throat 21 (49) 

Fatigue 32 (74) 

Body aches 31 (74) 

Loss of taste or smell 21 (49) 

Headache  34 (79) 

Diarrhoea 8 (19) 

Difficulty breathing 12 (28) 

Chest pain 12 (28) 

Other 4 (9) 

None 1 (2) 
Number of symptoms 5 ± 2 

Symptom duration  

0-2 weeks 25 (60) 

2-4 weeks 12 (29) 

1-3 months 2 (5) 

>3 months 3 (7) 
COVID-19 Severity  

Asymptomatic  2 (5) 

Mild 20 (48) 

Moderate 18 (43) 

Severe 2 (5) 

Critical 0 (0) 
Symptoms when returning to training*  

Cough 3 (7) 

Fatigue 23 (54) 

Shortness of Breath 12 (28) 

Increased Heart Rate 25 (58) 

Other 3 (7) 

None 6 (14) 

Treatment and 

protective 

measures 

Hospitalisation  

Yes 1 (2) 

No 41 (98) 
Treatment*  

Corticosteroids 8 (18) 

Antibiotics 7 (16) 

Oxygen 2 (5) 

Over the counter medication 24 (56) 

Ivermectin 4 (10) 

Vitamins/Supplements 15 (35) 

None 6 (14) 
Fully vaccinated  

Pre COVID-19 3 (7) 

Post COVID-19 15 (36) 

Not vaccinated 24 (57) 
Guidelines followed before returning to training  

Yes, guidelines from medical practitioner  23 (58) 

Yes, guidelines from scientific journal articles 3 (7) 

Yes, guidelines from internet 3 (7) 

No 13 (31) 
Medical screening before return to training   

Yes 7 (17) 

No 35 (83) 
 

Data are shown as the number of participants and 

percentage (%) or as mean ± SD. * participants can 

fall into multiple categories. COVID-19 severity: 

Asymptomatic, no symptoms but tested positive for 

COVID-19; Mild, had flu-like symptoms excluding 

shortness of breath at rest or during exertion; 

Moderate, flu-like symptoms and/or shortness of 

breath, may or may not be hospitalized; Severe, 

requires hospitalization and oxygen administration; 

Critical, requires hospitalization and ventilation, 

multi-organ involvement may be present.[8,9] 

 



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p=0.014) As mentioned previously, the most common reason 

for a training interruption for the control group was lockdown 

restrictions, with other reasons for training interruptions 

including injury and illnesses other than COVID-19. There 

were no other differences in baseline characteristics such as 

age, sex, and BMI. 

 

Peak heart rate, average heart rate, and relative exercise 

intensity 

Decreases in peak and average heart rate, and relative exercise 

intensity were observed in both groups, one-week post return 

to training, compared to one-week pre-training interruption. 

(Mean peak heart rate: COVID-19:171 beats per minute (bpm) 

to 158 bpm; Control:178 bpm to 161 bpm. Mean average heart 

rate: COVID-19:147 bpm to 140 bpm; Control:146 bpm to 138 

bpm. Mean relative exercise intensity: COVID-19:80% to 76%; 

Control: 82%-77%). These decreases were statistically 

significant in both groups for peak heart rate (p=0.017), but not 

statistically significant for average heart rate and relative 

exercise intensity (p=0.095; p=0.091).  

Following the above decreases at one week post return to 

training, increases in peak and average heart rate, and relative 

exercise intensity (Figure 1) were observed 

in both groups from the second to the 

fourth week post return to training (Mean 

peak heart rate: COVID-19: 158 bpm to 172 

bpm; Control: 160 bpm to 177 bpm. Mean 

average heart rate: COVID-19: 140 bpm to 

149 bpm; Control: 138 bpm to 150 bpm. 

Relative exercise intensity: COVID-19: 76% 

to 80%; Control: 77% to 84%) These 

increases were statistically significant in 

both groups for all three variables (p<0.04), 

and variables increased close to their 

original values pre-training interruption. 

No between-group differences were found 

for peak heart rate, average heart rate and 

relative exercise intensity (p=0.182; 

p=0.360; p=0.338).  

 

Maximum and average speed  

Maximum and average speed were 

analysed separately for runners and 

cyclists due to the difference in the nature 

of training modality (cyclists’ speed is 

naturally faster than runners’ speed). 

Cyclists’ maximum and average speeds 

were omitted from analysis due to a very 

small sample size as a result of missing 

data values (n=6).  

A non-statistically significant decrease in 

maximum and average speed was 

observed (increase in min/km) for runners 

in both groups, at one week post return to 

training, compared to one week pre-

training interruption (Mean maximum 

speed: COVID-19: 4.36 min.km-1 to 5.99 

min.km-1; Control: 5.41 min.km-1 to 5.98 

min.km-1; p=0.07). Mean average 

speed:COVID-19: 6.45 min.km-1 to 9.26 

min.km-1; Control: 7.40 min.km-1 to 8.98 

min.km-1; p=0.066). This was followed by a 

non-statistically significant increase in 

maximum and average speeds at Weeks 

two to four post return to training. The 

COVID-19 group had a faster average 

speed than the control group pre-training 

interruption (Figure 2.). However, no 

statistically significant group effect was 

found at any point in training (p=0.132).  

Fig. 1. Change in relative exercise intensity of COVID-19 and control groups four weeks pre 

interruption to four weeks after return to training post interruption; *statistical significant 

differences in relative exercise intensity between one week post return to training, and two, 

three and four weeks post return to training (p=0.03); TI: training interruption period; error 

bars 95% confidence interval.  

 

Fig. 2. Change in average speed of COVID-19 and control groups four weeks pre-

interruption to four weeks after return to training post interruption. TI: Training 

interruption period; error bars 95% confidence interval.  

 



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5    SAJSM VOL.  34 NO.1 2022 

 

Training time and distance  

A statistically significant decrease in training time (p<0.001) 

and distance (p=0.002) was observed in the control group, one 

week post return to training compared to one week pre-

training interruption (Time trained: 291 min to 59 min; 

Distance: 77 km to 23 km). In contrast, a non-statistically 

significant decrease in time and distance was observed in the 

COVID-19 group, at one week post return to training compared 

to one week pre-training interruption (Time: 153 min to 109 

min; Distance: 33 km to 14 km). Additionally, the distance and 

time trained at one week pre-training 

interruption were statistically significantly 

different between the two groups (p=0.002; 

p=0.003) (Figures 3 and 4).  

The decreases in both groups were 

followed by increases in time and distance 

trained from Week two to four post return 

to training. However, these increases were 

not statistically significant for either group. 

For the COVID-19 group, the participants 

appeared to recover their pre-interruption 

training time and distance levels. 

However, the control group’s training time 

and distance remained lower than their 

pre-training interruption values (Figures 3 

and 4). 

 

Discussion 

Questionnaire 

COVID-19 clinical presentations  

The findings of this study show that the 

COVID-19 clinical presentation in 

recreational runners and cyclists was mild 

to moderate (90%) with fatigue, body ache 

and headache being the most common 

symptoms, and 0-2 weeks being the most 

frequent symptom duration. This clinical 

presentation correlates with findings in 

previous studies on athletes post COVID-

19 infection. Studies by Schwellnus et al.[10] 

and Hull et al.[11] both observed headache 

and fatigue as one of the most prevalent 

COVID-19 symptoms in athletes, with 

athletes having predominantly mild illness 

severity.[10,11] A possible reason for the 

milder illness severity found in athletes is 

that regular exercise of moderate intensity 

can potentially improve one’s immune 

response to infection, decrease 

inflammation, and reduce the risk of 

metabolic conditions, such as diabetes and 

obesity, which are considered risk factors 

for severe COVID-19.[12] The correlations 

with COVID-19 severity found in this 

study also suggest that the more severe the 

illness, the longer the training interruption 

time, the greater the number of symptoms, 

and the longer the symptom duration.  

 
GPS data 

In the first week of the return to training, 

decreases in peak and average heart rate, 

relative exercise intensity, maximum and

Fig. 3. Change in time trained of COVID-19 and control groups four weeks pre-interruption 

to four weeks after return to training post interruption; *statistical significant difference in 

time trained for the control group, between one week pre-training interruption and one week 

post return to training (p<0.001);**statistical significant difference in time trained between 

the two groups at one week pre-training interruption (p=0.002) TI: Training interruption 

period; error bars 95% confidence interval.  

 

Fig. 4. Change in distance trained of COVID-19 and control groups four weeks pre-

interruption to four weeks after return to training post interruption; *statistical significant 

difference in distance trained for the control group, between one week pre-training 

interruption and one week post return to training (p=0.002);**statistical significant 

difference in distance trained between the two groups at one week pre-training interruption 

(p=0.003) TI: Training interruption period; error bars 95% confidence interval. 

 



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average speed, time, and distance were observed for both the 

COVID-19 and control groups, compared to one week pre-

training interruption. Because these decreases were observed 

in both the COVID-19 and control groups, this suggests that 

there was no specific ‘COVID-19’ effect on training activity 

post infection in this group of athletes. The above decreases 

were then followed by increases in all training variables at 

Weeks two to four post return to training.  

A possible reason for the decreases in the measured training 

variables at Week one post return to training, could be a 

conscious choice of the athletes to start training at a lower 

volume and intensity compared to before the COVID-19 

infection and training interruption. This hypothesis is further 

strengthened by the ability of athletes to increase their 

training values back to pre-training interruption values, 

suggesting a maintained exercise ability. Furthermore, 58% of 

participants in the COVID-19 group said that they followed 

the guidelines for return to training from their doctors, which 

could also be a reason for their gradual return to training. 

Based on the results, it could be suggested that following a 

gradual return to training post COVID-19 infection is a safe 

and beneficial way to approach returning to training, as 

participants were able to return to their original levels of 

training by four weeks post training interruption.  

In contrast, the control group did not return to their original 

values for time and distance trained, with values being lower 

than pre-training interruption values. This could possibly be 

due to the control group having a longer time off than the 

COVID-19 group (33 ± 11 days vs 20 ± 13 days, p=0.014), thus 

making it more difficult to return to original values pre-

training interruption. This could potentially be due to a 

detraining effect. Detraining is the partial or complete reversal 

of physiological adaptations induced from training, due to a 

reduction or cessation of training stimuli.[13] However, the 

peak and average heart rates and relative exercise intensity 

after the training interruption remained similar to the pre-

training interruption values. One would expect an increase in 

heart rate if detraining occurred. Therefore, it is more likely 

that the control group was less motivated to return to their 

original levels of exercise due to the prolonged time off 

training, as opposed to a detraining effect.  

In conclusion, the data above suggest that COVID-19 

infection is associated with an interruption in training in 

recreational runners and cyclists. However, COVID-19 did 

not have a more serious effect on return to training compared 

to other forms of training interruption.  

 
Study limitations 

This study has several limitations that may influence the 

validity of the results. Many of the changes in training 

variables over time were not statistically significant, with the 

confidence intervals of training values being wide. This is 

most likely due to the small sample sizes.  Furthermore, the 

study did not include any objectively physiologically 

measured data, such as data from cardiopulmonary exercise 

testing. Researchers were also limited by the data provided by 

the participants, which contained a limited number of training 

variables. Having variables such as resting heart rate and time 

trial data would have been beneficial. Additionally, the 

training load pre-training interruption and the training 

interruption time of the COVID-19 and control groups were not 

matched, with the control group having a larger time and 

distance trained pre-training interruption and a longer training 

interruption time. Additionally, GPS wearable heart rate 

measurements are known to often be inaccurate when the 

optical wrist-based pickup is used rather than a chest strap.[14] 

Furthermore, equations used to calculate age-corrected 

maximum heart rate could result in overestimations or 

underestimations of readings.[15]  

Other limitations include the small sample size of 

participants, which further decreased during the analysis due 

to missing data values. In addition, the control group’s sample 

size is much smaller than the COVID-19 group, thus decreasing 

the comparator group effect. Despite its limitations, this study 

shows the value of using GPS wearable training data to 

determine the effect of COVID-19 on the training activity of 

athletes post infection. Future studies could improve on the 

current study by recruiting a larger number of participants, 

including resting heart rate and time trial data and matching 

the training loads and interruption times of cases and controls. 

 

Conclusion 

To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the effect 

of COVID-19 on the training activity of recreational athletes 

using GPS data. Most participants had mild to moderate 

COVID-19, with associations found between COVID-19 

severity and number of symptoms, symptom duration, and 

training interruption time. COVID-19 was also associated with 

a self-reported training interruption time of two-four weeks. At 

one week post training interruption decreases in peak and 

average heart rate, relative exercise intensity, maximum and 

average speed, time and distance trained were observed for 

both the COVID-19 and control groups. This was followed by 

an increase in these variables between two to four weeks’ post 

return to training in both groups. The decreases in training 

variables were observed for both groups, thus eliminating the 

possibility of a specific ‘COVID-19 effect’ on training activity 

post infection. A possible reason for the pattern of changes 

observed in training variables post COVID-19 could be 

participants deliberately returning to exercise at lower volumes 

and intensities in order to return to training safely. The study 

demonstrates the value of using GPS wearable device data to 

evaluate athletes’ training activity post training interruptions.  

However, due to the many limitations of the study, the results 

should be taken with caution, with more research being 

required to further expand on the study's results.  

 

Conflict of interest and source of funding: The authors declare 

no conflict of interest. This work is based on the research 

supported wholly by the National Research Foundation of 

South Africa (NRF) (MND200804549962). 
 

Acknowledgements: The authors would like to extend their 

gratitude to the University of Cape Town and the NRF for the 

enablement of this study. Additionally, we would like to thank 

the participants for completing the study questionnaire and 

sharing their GPS data for analysis.  
 



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7    SAJSM VOL.  34 NO.1 2022 

 

Author contributions:  

All authors contributed to the design of this research and the 

writing of the article ((i) conception, design, analysis, and 

interpretation of data; (ii) drafting or critical revision for 

important intellectual content; and (iii) approval of the 

version to be published. 

 
References 

1.  World Health Organisation. World Health Organisation 

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