AUTHOR=Zinner Christoph , Matzka Manuel , Leppich Robert , Kounev Samuel , Holmberg Hans-Christer , Sperlich Billy 

TITLE=The Impact of the German Strategy for Containment of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on Training Characteristics, Physical Activity and Sleep of Highly Trained Kayakers and Canoeists: A Retrospective Observational Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=2

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2020.579830

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2020.579830

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Aim:</bold> To characterize the impact of the German strategy for containment of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (social distancing and lockdown) on the training, other habitual physical activity, and sleep in highly trained kayakers and canoeists.</p><p><bold>Method:</bold> During the 4 weeks immediately prior to and following the beginning of the German government's strategy for containment of Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 on March 23, 2020, 14 highly trained athletes (VO<sub>2peak</sub>: 3,162 ± 774 ml/min; 500-m best time: 117.9 ± 7.9 s) wore a multi-sensor smartwatch to allow continuous assessment of heart rate, physical activity, and sleep duration.</p><p><bold>Result:</bold> In comparison to before lockdown, the overall weekly training time and the average length of each session of training during the lockdown decreased by 27.6% (<italic>P</italic> = 0.02; <italic>d</italic> = 0.91) and 15.4% (<italic>P</italic> = 0.36; <italic>d</italic> = 0.36), respectively. At the same time, the number of sessions involving specific (i.e., canoeing and kayaking) and non-specific (i.e., running, cycling) training, respectively, did not change (<italic>P</italic> = 0.36–0.37; <italic>d</italic> = 0.34–0.35). The number of sessions involving strength (+17.4%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.03; <italic>d</italic> = 0.89) or other types of training (+16.7%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.06; <italic>d</italic> = 0.75) increased during the lockdown with 2.8–17.5% more training time involving a heart rate &lt;60%, 82–88, 89–93, or 94–100% of individual peak heart rate (HR<sub>peak</sub>) (<italic>P</italic> = 0.03–0.86; <italic>d</italic> = 0.07–1.38), and 4.3–18.7% less time with a heart rate of 60–72 or 73–83% HR<sub>peak</sub> (<italic>P</italic> = &lt; 0.001–0.0.26; <italic>d</italic> = 0.44–2.24). The daily duration of sleep was ~30 min (6.7%) longer during the lockdown (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001; <italic>d</italic> = 1.53) and the overall time spent lying down was 17% greater (<italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001; <italic>d</italic> = 2.26); whereas sitting time (−9.4%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.003; <italic>d</italic> = 1.23), the duration of light (15 min; −7.3%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.04; <italic>d</italic> = 0.83), and moderate (−18.6%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.01; <italic>d</italic> = 1.00) physical activity other than training (−9.4%; <italic>P</italic> = 0.22; <italic>d</italic> = 0.00) were all lower during lockdown.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The present data revealed that following the German lockdown for containment of the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, highly trained kayakers and canoeists spent less overall time training each week (−27.6%) with, on average, shorter training sessions (−15.1%) and less light-to-moderate physical activity outside of training. Moreover, they performed more strength training sessions per week, and all engaged in more training at intensities &gt;82 and &lt;60% of HR<sub>peak</sub> and spent longer periods lying down and sleeping during the lockdown.</p>