Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Body Composition and Fitness Performance among Football Players in Negro African Environment

Abstract

Context and Objective: The nutritional and sports dimension of the lockdown implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic is unexplored in the African environment. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on body composition and fitness performance in Congolese football players. Methods: This was an observational study carried out in Brazzaville between February 9 and October 30, 2020. It included 16 male players among Congolese senior national team and 11 male football players of first division Brazzaville clubs. Two types of measurements were carried out: anthropometric measures (height, body mass, total fat percent, lean body mass); physical capacities [30 m sprint, repeated sprint, aerobic endurance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test), vertical jump (Squat Jump test, Countermovement test)]. The measurements were realized at 4 times: before lockdown (month of february, T0), 1 st week of june (T1), 1 st week of september (T2), 1 st week of october (T3). Data were compared using Student t test, Sokal S test, Anova, Newman-Keuls test (multiple contrasts) and correlation analysis. Results: A significant increase in body mass (p < 0.05), body mass index (p < 0.02) was observed in all subjects, compared to a less marked increase in muscle mass. Significant reductions in performance in the 30 m sprint, the 6-sprint series, the endurance event and the vertical jumps were noted. However, a significant effect of “practice level” on the changes in performance on Squat Jump and Countermovement Jump was only found, the maximum differences throughout experimental period being found among senior football players of Congolese national team. Conclusion: The present data suggest that COVID-19 lockdown promotes weight gain and decreased physical ability in football players.