Blood profiling data in athletic populations and their respective responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection are lacking. Thus, this exploratory pilot study aimed to analyze and compare clinical blood markers in previously infected trained athletes (ATH; 30 m/29 f) and a not previously infected healthy athletic control group (HC; 12 m/19 f). The ATH group undertook a sports medical examination which included extended blood analyses. Blood profiles with a total of 74 variables were assessed (blood counts, pro-/inflammatory and immunological markers, and micronutrients), and the ATH group was compared to the age-matched HC group with comparable athletic back grounds, though without previous SARS-CoV-2-infections. The ATH group showed increased IgG, Troponin-T, and complement/acute-phase protein activation and decreased electrolyte/micronutrient concentrations compared to the HC group. Several markers regarding erythrocytic function and coagulation were different in the ATH group, whereas in the HC group, higher TSH, ALT, and triglyceride concentrations were observed. Subgroup analyses according to sex revealed more differences between the women of the ATH and HC groups (for 18 different variables) than between the men (for 6 different variables), especially for immunological and metabolic variables. In particular, the erythrocytic system and electrolyte/micronutrient status should be observed frequently and sex-specifically in this underrepresented subpopulation of athletic individuals after COVID-19 because infection, as well as high training volumes, may put an additional strain on these parameters.
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