Background/Objectives: COVID-19 poses significant physiological challenges for athletes, particularly those engaged in high-intensity intermittent sports such as ice hockey. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection-especially symptomatic cases-on aerobic and anaerobic performance in professional ice hockey players. Methods: Fifty athletes from the Polish Hockey League were assigned to three groups: control (CG, n = 13), asymptomatic COVID-19 (NSG, n = 28), and symptomatic COVID-19 with post-infection SpO2 < 90% (WSG, n = 9). Each underwent assessments at three time points-pre-preparatory period 2020/2021, post-preparatory period 2020/2021, and pre-preparatory period 2021/2022. Aerobic capacity was measured via a progressive cycle ergometer test (VO2max, VO2 at lactate threshold [VO2Lt], minute ventilation [V'E], breathing frequency [BF], and lactate clearance rate [ΔLa]), and anaerobic capacity via a 30 s Wingate test (relative mean power). Results: Compared with CG and NSG, symptomatic athletes exhibited significant post-infection declines in VO2max (48.2 ± 2.9 vs. 56.2 ± 6.2 and 54.6 ± 3.9 mL/kg/min; p = 0.006, d = 1.56 vs. CG; p < 0.024, d = 1.79 vs. NSG) and VO2Lt (p < 0.05). Relative mean power also decreased in WSG (p < 0.05). In contrast, CG and NSG improved or maintained these metrics over the same period. Symptomatic players showed elevated BF post infection (p = 0.022, d = 1.72) and reduced V'E (p = 0.035; d = 0.83), while ΔLa was markedly lower (p = 0.0004; d = 2.86). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly symptomatic cases, can significantly impair both aerobic and anaerobic capacity in elite hockey players. Targeted recovery protocols are essential for restoring performance in affected athletes.

Department of Sports Games Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Charles University 162 52 Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Biomedical Engineering Silesian University of Technology Roosevelta 40 41 800 Zabrze Poland

Faculty of Health Science and Physical Education Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz 85 867 Bydgoszcz Poland

Faculty of Science and Technology University of Silesia 75 Pułku Piechoty 1A 41 500 Chorzów Poland

Institute of Sport Science The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education Mikołowska 72A 40 065 Katowice Poland

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