Respiratory Viral Infections in Athletes: Impact on Sport and Exercise Medicine

Background: Respiratory viral infections (RVIs) are a significant concern in sport and exercise medicine, particularly among elite athletes. Objectives: This review examines the current understanding of RVIs in athletes, their impact on performance, and the underlying physiological mechanisms. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles published between ۲۰۱۰ and ۲۰۲۳. Search terms included combinations of 'respiratory viral infections,' 'athletes,' 'elite sports,' 'immune function,' and 'exercise physiology.' Inclusion criteria were studies focusing on RVIs in athletes, their impact on athletic performance, and investigations of related physiological mechanisms. The quality of included studies was assessed using standardized tools, and a narrative synthesis approach was used to summarize findings. Results: Recent studies have shown that elite athletes are more susceptible to RVIs compared to the general population, especially during major sporting events. One study found a ۷-fold increased risk of respiratory illness in athletes during a ۲-week championship compared to normally exercising controls. The same respiratory viruses affecting the general population are responsible for infections in athletes. The increased susceptibility is thought to be related to intense exercise regimens altering immune function, though the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Other factors like psychological stress, sleep disturbances, and nutritional restrictions may also contribute. RVIs can significantly impact an athlete's ability to train consistently, affecting competitive success and career progression. Research has identified immune system differences in susceptible athletes, including fewer T regulatory cells, an imbalanced airway microbiome, and metabolic differences compared to less susceptible athletes. Advanced diagnostic techniques have enabled detection of viral etiology in ۷۵-۸۰% of RVI cases in athletes, disproving earlier notions that most symptoms were non-infectious. Conclusion: While exercise generally benefits health, elite-level training may increase RVI susceptibility in some athletes. This has important implications for athlete health management and performance optimization in sports medicine. However, there is still a lack of longitudinal studies with comprehensive viral diagnostics in athlete populations. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between intense exercise, immune function, and clinical outcomes in elite athletes.

کلیدواژه ها:

Respiratory viral infections ، elite athletes ، immune function ، exercise physiology ، sports medicine