TITLE:
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Body Composition and Fitness Performance among Football Players in Negro African Environment
AUTHORS:
Moulongo Jean Georges André, Makosso Vheiye Georges, Loubelo Prosper, Mouanda Konde Dorel, Massamba Miabaou Didace, Mabiala Babela Jean Robert, Massamba Alphonse
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19 Lockdown, Football, Body Composition, Physical Capacities, Congo-Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.14 No.4,
April
29,
2022
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), 1st week of june (T1), 1st week of september (T2), 1st 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 Conclusion: The present data suggest that COVID-19 lockdown promotes weight gain and decreased physical ability in football players.