Protocol for a prospective quasi-experimental study on SARS-CoV-2 transmission during outdoor sports events in France: the COVID-ESO project

INTRODUCTION: The spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in the community remains a major concern despite the application of control measures including the banning of mass sporting events. The circulation of SARS-CoV-2 within the general population, and potentially within the population practicing outdoor sports activities, suggests contexts conducive to the transmission of the virus. We hypothesise that outdoor sports events (OSEs) do not present a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 contamination. The objective of the COVID-ESO project is to measure if individuals participating in OSE present a similar risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission compared with individuals not participating in OSE, in France. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The COVID-ESO project is a prospective, quasi-experimental study to be conducted in volunteer individuals likely to participate in OSE. Six events are targeted across France to be included. Three sport trials will be eligible for the study: running, cycling and triathlon. Each individual participating in the OSE will choose one of his or her usual training partner to be eligible for the unexposed control group. Individuals will be matched (1:1) on age, sex and the district of residence. Individuals assigned to the exposed group will participate in the OSE, whereas individuals assigned to the unexposed group will not participate in the OSE. All individuals will be asked to perform saliva tests on the day of the event and 7 days after the event. A questionnaire including sociodemographic, clinical and exposure data to SARS-CoV-2 will be sent by email for both groups on the day before the event and 7 days after the event. Differences in SARS-CoV-2 infection rates between the exposed versus the unexposed group will be analysed by fitting a conditional logistic regression model, adjusted for potential confounders. As the sport events unfold, data will be analyzed by performing sequential meta-analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol has been approved by the ethical committee. Ethical approval has been obtained for the Clinical research and committee of South West of France, 10 June 2021. COMITE DE PROTECTION DES PERSONNES DU SUD-OUEST ET OUTRE-MER 4 under the reference number 21.03.23.71737/CPP2021-04-045 a COVID/2021-A00845-36. Findings generated from this study will be shared to national health and sport authorities.