This study examined how the COVID-19 isolation period affected the strength and conditioning practices of competitive athletes. An online survey compared S&C behaviours before and during the March-June 2020 isolation period, with 66 eligible respondents comprising regional- and international-level athletes. Most athletes continued training at home, but approximately 90% modified their usual S&C practices.

During isolation, athletes’ training goals shifted away from maximal strength and competition towards general health, weight management and stress management. Training intensity decreased significantly, while participation in multi-joint resistance training and plyometrics was also reduced. In contrast, engagement in bodyweight training, core stability work and stretching showed no significant change.

The findings suggest that reduced training intensity and lower engagement with resistance and plyometric training may have resulted in detraining of important physical qualities, potentially increasing injury risk when athletes returned to intensive training and competition. The authors recommend that S&C coaches assess athletes individually following prolonged periods of restricted training, using sport-relevant fitness assessments to identify detraining and inform a safe and progressive return to performance.