COVID-19 as a Factor Influencing Maximal Heart Rates among Male University Students
Source abstract
Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between COVID-19 and HRmax during maximal exertion; Methods: The study was conducted on 66 male students aged 17.4 to 24.0 years, 50% of whom suffered from COVID-19. Their body composition was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis; their physical activity (PA)—using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; and their HRmax—using the 12-Minute Cooper Test on a Rowing Ergometer (12-MCTRE); Results: Both the healthy students (G1) and non-hospitalized COVID-19 sufferers (G2) were significantly (p < 0.001) more engaged in PA than the hospitalized COVID-19 sufferers. They had significantly lower body mass, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and visceral fat level, with the G1 ones also having lower scores of body fat mass, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass (p values: <0.001–0.017). The highest HRmax = 192 bpm was recorded for G1 students, being significantly higher than the values measured for G2 (by 7 bpm), and G3 (by 16 bpm); Conclusions: Men suffering from COVID-19 and hospitalized exhibited significantly lower levels of PA and motor fitness, and had poorer body composition markers (primarily adiposity to the point of severe overweight). This likely explains their diminished HRmax compared with healthy men.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Control · Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Human Wellness Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-957 Olsztyn, Poland
Institute of Health, Angelus Silesius University of Applied Sciences in Wałbrzych, 58-300 Wałbrzych, Poland
Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, 42-200 Czestochowa, Poland
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