Due to the measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, many athletes have been unable to train as usual for months. As part of the Bayerischer Rundfunk program "Fitnessmagazin - Corona as a fitness brake", private lecturer Dr. Daniel Link from the Chair of Performance Analysis and Sports Informatics spoke with presenter Frauke Gerbig about the effects of the pandemic on fitness and the challenges of getting back into training.
"With longer interruptions in training, the positive effects of training continually decline. Our bodies are 'lazy' to begin with and don't want to maintain structures and systems that they are no longer utilizing," said PD Dr. Link. For this reason, he said, it is important to exercise regularly during the pandemic - even if the opportunities to do so are limited.
Among other things, the program also highlighted the importance of sport for health. Numerous studies show that lack of exercise is a major societal problem and is responsible for a variety of diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. "The closure of almost all sports facilities may seem counterproductive in this regard," Link explained.
In particular, the danger of late health effects for society as a result of the lockdown was pointed out. Here Link sees the danger that children and young people in particular will turn to other pursuits during the pandemic and subsequently be lost to sport. "We also see that clubs and gyms are currently losing members - whether they will ever come back is questionable," Link explains. "If we have to treat significantly more diabetics and people with heart disease in 2030, we may have missed something."
When Corona measures are relaxed and all sports are possible again, Link says it would be a big mistake to continue training the same way as before the break - that is, using the same weights or doing the same exercises. Instead, he says, training should be started slowly and cautiously to get used to the load again. The muscles adapt quite quickly, but cartilage and tendons need a little more time.
But here, too, there is good news: "The muscles can be rebuilt quite quickly," knows PD Dr. Link. "The so-called 'muscle memory' is responsible for this. A muscle that was once well trained 'remembers' this performance state and also reaches it more quickly than a muscle that was not trained. Basic endurance is also retained for quite a long time. Loose units are not a big problem for most formerly well trained athletes. Performance losses are found primarily in high-intensity endurance workouts."
To the radio report in the "Fitnessmagazin“ of Bayerischer Rundfunk
To the homepage of the Chair of Performance Analysis and Sports Informatics
Kontakt:
PD Dr. Daniel Link
Chair of Performance Analysis and Sports Informatics
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
phone: 089 289 24498
e-mail: Daniel.Link(at)tum.de
Text: Romy Schwaiger
Photo: private