Aim. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in physical capacity caused by a 41-day significant reduction in
training activity due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The 20 m shuttle run (Multistage Fitness Beep test) was used to determine physical capacity.
Methods. The examinations were performed on 23 female soccer players aged 15 to 23 years. The inclusion criteria were
sufficient training experience and participation in competitions at the level of the Central Junior League and the First Women’s
League. On both dates of examinations, separated by a 41-day interval forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, maximal oxygen uptake
was analyzed using an indirect method based on the Beep Test. The differences in VO2max on both dates for the combined groups
were analyzed by Student’s t-test for dependent samples.
Results. Calculations showed a highly significant reduction in VO2max (by 5.6 ml/kg/min). Furthermore, the absolute decrease in this variable was significantly related to baseline levels (r=0.760).
Conclusions. The re-education of physical activity enforced by the 41-day lockdown resulted in a significant loss of aerobic
capacity. A greater decrease in VO2max was observed in female athletes with higher baseline levels of aerobic capacity. It seems
advisable to develop special training programs for individual implementation in case the group training is impossible.