Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Cardiovascular Health in University Students

Grzegorz Bielec () and Anna Kwaśna
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Grzegorz Bielec: Department of Physical Culture, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, ul. Gorskiego 1, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
Anna Kwaśna: Department of Physical Education and Sport, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences in Wrocław, al. Paderewskiego 35, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: Background: A decrease in physical activity levels among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic is well-documented in the literature. However, the effect of lockdown restrictions on cardiovascular fitness has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: The aim of the study was to assess the possible changes in cardiovascular fitness among university students during a 14-week period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirteen female and seven male tourism and recreation students participated in the study. Examinations were conducted in November 2020 and in February/March 2021. Students performed the PWC170 test on a cycling ergometer. Maximal oxygen consumption was calculated based on the PWC170 test results. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at rest, as well as in the 1st and 5th minute of post-exercise recovery. Results: No substantial changes were observed in maximal oxygen consumption level when comparing autumn and winter indices. Male students presented elevated blood pressure whereas female students presented normal blood pressure. Heart-rate and blood-pressure indices did not show substantial alternations in examined students during analyzed period. Conclusions: Fourteen weeks of lockdown had little effect on the cardiovascular health of tourism and recreation students.

Keywords: maximal oxygen consumption; blood pressure; heart rate; students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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