RESEARCH IN SPORT EDUCATION AND SCIENCES, sa.4, ss.93-98, 2023 (ESCI)
The negative effects of coronavirus disease 2019 and its variants on humans are quite high. This study aims to examine the changes in muscle, fat, body fluid, and protein values of people who do sports regularly before, during, and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The study group consisted of 49 healthy male individuals with a mean age of 28.75 +/- 8.98 years, exercising regularly in a private sports center. The values of the research group were examined in four different periods. These periods are defined as the period before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (first), 6 months before the pandemic restriction process applied in our country (second), immediately after the restriction period (third), and after the restriction (fourth) to start exercising again. In the measurements, regional muscle mass, regional fat analysis, body fluid, and protein values were examined by using the InBody 270 brand body analyzer. Statistical analyses of the obtained data were analyzed in the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistics software, version 24.0. Shapiro-Wilks normality analysis was used to test the suitability of the data for normal distribution, and a single -factor analysis of variance test was used for repeated measurements to evaluate the measurements according to time. According to the results obtained, it was determined that protein and total body water values decreased during the restriction process and increased statistically significantly after restriction (p < .01). In the regional muscle analysis, a significant decrease was detected in the right arm muscle mass during the restriction period, while there was a significant increase when the exercises were started again (p < .01). It was determined that there was a significant difference in right leg muscle mass after restriction (p < .05). There was no statistically significant difference in regional fat analysis. As a result, the practice of restraint had a negative effect on individuals who exercised regularly. It was determined that the removal of the restriction and starting the exercises again were effective in the recovery of these negativities. It is important in terms of body resistance and muscle strength that the measures to be taken during such epidemic periods are not in a way that will keep people away from physical activity.