The long-term impact of COVID-19 on the physical activity, motor fitness, and maximum heart rate values of female university students

Aim

This study examined the relationship between COVID-19 and the maximum heart rate (HR_max) achieved by female university students during maximal physical effort. It also analyzed how participants’ physical activity (PA) levels and anthropometric and physiological characteristics were related to HR_max 10 months after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Materials and methods

Eighty-two female university students aged 19.0–28.0 years (21.23 ± 1.57) were assigned to three groups: G₁ – 40 healthy participants, G₂ – 29 participants with confirmed COVID-19, and G₃ – 13 participants previously hospitalized due to COVID-19. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. PA was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and HR_max was measured during the 12-min Cooper test performed on a rowing ergometer.

Results

Healthy students (G₁) showed the highest PA levels, followed by groups G₂ and G₃. Group G₁ also exhibited more favorable body composition, with lower values of body mass, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, visceral fat, fat mass, fat-free mass, and skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.001). Maximum heart rate was highest in group G₁ (175 beats per minute, bpm) and exceeded the values noted in groups G₂ and G₃ by 7 and 15 bpm, respectively (p = 0.028).

Conclusions

Female students hospitalized due to COVID-19 had lower PA levels, reduced motor fitness, and worse body composition, which may explain their lower HR_max values observed 10 months after the pandemic.