Respiratory Muscle Training for Athletes post COVID-19: a Pilot Study for a Randomised Controlled Trial to determine Efficacy in Improving Cardiorespiratory Fitness

INTERVENTION: Normal endurance training Respiratory Muscle Training CONDITION: ; Respiratory Respiratory PRIMARY OUTCOME: Compare the difference in MIP (mean and SD) from baseline to follow up between intervention and control groups. Compare the difference in VO2max (mean and SD) from baseline to follow up between intervention and control groups. SECONDARY OUTCOME: A between group comparison of RPE at baseline and follow up COVID‐19 symptoms, if any, they continue to experience. INCLUSION CRITERIA: COVID‐19 convalescent endurance athletes including runners and cyclists. Male and female over the age of 18. Participants must reside in Johannesburg, South Africa Athletes who did cardiovascular exercise for three or more hours per week prior to contracting COVID‐19 will be eligible. Athletes must comply with the published return to sport criteria i.e., 10 days rest after diagnosis and 7 symptom‐free days, and the ability to carry out activities of daily living and walk 500m effortlessly (Elliott et al., 2020). Participants need to be able to run for 30 minutes at a comfortable pace. Those with co‐morbidities or severe disease need to have consulted a sports physician prior to resumption of sport.