Why the study?
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions reduce physical activity, while uncertainties about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the heart cause anxiety, especially among athletes needing to maintain fitness.
Provides an expert-endorsed framework for safe exercise participation and management of athletes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provides expert reassurance on exercise during pandemic; leaves open definitive cardiac risk data for athletes.
Regular exercise has multiple benefits for physical and mental health, including the body's ability to combat infections. The current COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing measures employed to curtail the impact of the infection are likely to reduce the amount of usual physical activity being performed by most individuals, including habitual exercisers. The uncertainties relating to the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the heart may cause increased anxiety, particularly in athletes who need to sustain a vigorous exercise regime in order to maintain their skills and fitness in preparation for return to competition after a short re-training period. The aim of this document is to provide practical answers to pertinent questions being posed by the sporting community, in an attempt to offer reassurance, promote safe participation in exercise during as well as after the COVID-19 pandemic and provide a framework of management for physicians caring for athletes.
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Bhatia et al. (2020) studied this question.
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