Respiratory muscle strength in volleyball players suffered from COVID-19

Background Symptoms related to Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) and quarantine measures have caused pulmonary function abnormality and impaired respiratory mechanics. However, no studies are evaluating pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle strength in female volleyball players according to COVID-19 status in the pandemic. Aims This study aims to compare pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle strength in female players with and without COVID-19. Methods Seventeen players (23.47 +/- 5.89 years) who were recovered from COVID-19 and 25 female volleyball players (20.48 +/- 5.05 years) who were not infected by SARS-CoV-2 were included in the study. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, pulmonary functions, body composition, symptom severity, and perceptions of performance were evaluated. Results Measured and predicted percent maximal inspiratory pressure and measured maximal expiratory pressure values of COVID-19 players were statistically significantly lower than non-COVID-19 players (p < 0.05). Dynamic lung volumes were similar in groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions Inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in COVID-19 players were more affected compared with non-COVID-19 players. Pulmonary functions were mostly preserved in COVID-19 players. Respiratory muscle weakening can affect the performance of female players. Therefore, respiratory muscle strength training could be suggested in female players with COVID-19 to increase respiratory muscle strength and prevent deterioration in performance.