Difficulty breathing, chest pains, feeling unwell: four weeks had Lizzy Banksprofessional racer with the World Tour team EF Education-Tibco-SVBdue to her coronavirus infection. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan after the "Across Flanders" one-day race finally showed that there was still fluid in her pericardium, as well as in her lungs.
What needs to be considered after a corona infection?
The diagnosisPericarditis - a Pericarditis. The more people become infected with Covid-19, the more researchers learn about the effects of the virus on competitive athletes. What should performance-orientated amateur cyclists consider after a coronavirus infection? What role does the vaccination status play? And how can treacherous late effects be avoided?
Dr Jördis Frommhold:
Problems after a Covid infection usually do not occur immediately after training, but with a delay of one to two days
According to the study "Covid-19 in elite sport", which was funded by the Federal Institute for Sports Science, competitive athletes are not among the risk groups that are more likely to suffer a severe course of coronavirus infection.
Training break recommended after positive corona test
Nevertheless, caution is advised, as underestimated consequential damage can have long-term negative effects on the Health and Performance capability of athletes. Prof Dr Martin Halle is Medical Director of the Outpatient Clinic for Preventive Sports Medicine and Sports Cardiology at the Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich. He recommends that all cyclists take a break from training after a positive corona test, even if they are symptom-free.
Testing positive means that the virus is circulating in the body, not only in the mucous membranes, but also in the brain, heart and muscles. An inflammatory reaction can occur everywhere.
Anyone who is asymptomatic with Covid-19 and continues to exercise intensively not only exposes themselves to the risk of negatively influencing the acute course of the disease, but also risks lasting damage to the Organs. Inflammation of the microvessels can lead to functional restrictions and damage to the heart, kidneys, liver and brain, among other things. A Myocarditis or infiltrations of the lungs can be the result.
Unvaccinated athletes in particular are therefore banned from sport if they test positive.
"Anyone who has been vaccinated and has no symptoms can do a little stabilisation and strength training," says Halle. From Endurance trainingeven in the Basic areahe advises during a positive test even with asymptomatic Course.
Stay vigilant after quarantine
Even after quarantine, athletes must mindful remain. In some patients, the acute corona infection is comparatively mild, but new symptoms appear weeks after recovery. They suddenly find it difficult to breathe, their muscles ache and their concentration wanes.
Dr Jördis Frommhold knows such stories. She is chief physician at the Department for respiratory diseases at the Median-Klinik in Heiligendamm, one of the leading rehabilitation centres for Long Covid patients, and author of the book "LongCovid. The new widespread disease". "The paradox of Long-Covid is that it can also affect top athletes in particular," explains Frommhold.
Special situation for professional & amateur athletes
The reasonProfessionals and ambitious amateur athletes are often under a lot of pressure - from coaches, training partners or team-mates - and therefore do not recover enough.
In addition, some athletes would train themselves to use the wrong breathing technique during the acute coronavirus phase. They unconsciously pull their shoulders up when inhaling and do not arch their stomach outwards.
I recommend breathing exercises to all athletes during the acute phase, but also to accompany the start of training.
To the health check!
Which Long Covid warning signs should affected road cyclists take to the doctor? Because the symptoms of Long Covid are so varied - from Word-finding disorders about Joint pain up to Irritable bowel syndrome -The disease is difficult to pin down. "If the symptoms don't improve despite curing, you should consult a doctor," says Frommhold.
If the findings of the heart, blood and lung examinations remain unremarkable, this indicates Long Covid. Targeted breathing training and physiotherapy can be the solution. "Anyone who can no longer return to their previous level of performance can apply for hospitalisation."
Prof Dr Martin Halle:
Even basic endurance training makes little sense after a positive test.
Martin Halle recommends a mini health check at the doctor's after every coronavirus infection for performance-orientated road cyclists: in the laboratory, the doctor can determine the inflammation levels in the blood and measure the electrical voltage of the heart using a resting ECG. "Those who ride particularly ambitiously can also have a heart ultrasound and an exercise test."
In any case, you should carefully approach your old training workload and level: "Start at 50 per cent and increase slowly," says Frommhold. "The problems don't usually appear immediately after training, but after a delay of one or two days."
This applies to Professionals as for Amateurs. Lizzy Banks has paid for her hasty return to training with another setback: she recently announced on Instagram that she would have to extend her training break by two to four weeks.
