Abstract
Objective: It is unclear whether and to what extent COVID-19 infection poses health risks and a chronic impairment of performance in athletes. Identification of individual health risk is an important decision-making basis for managing the pandemic risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in sports and return to play (RTP). Methods: This study aims 1) to analyze the longitudinal rate of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in German athletes, 2) to assess health-related consequences in athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 3) to reveal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in general and of a cleared SARS-CoV-2 infection on exercise performance. CoSmo-S is a prospective observational multicenter study establishing two cohorts: 1) athletes diagnosed positive for COVID-19 (cohort 1) and 2) federal squad athletes who perform their annual sports medical preparticipation screening (cohort 2). Comprehensive diagnostics including physical examination, laboratory blood analyses and blood biobanking, resting and exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, spirometry and exercise testing added by questionnaires are conducted at baseline and follow-up. Results and Conclusion: We expect that the results obtained, will allow us to formulate recommendations regarding RTP on a more evidence-based level.
Highlights
The current coronavirus pandemic is already one of the biggest global crises and poses an extreme challenge for the healthcare systems but is a real test for social solidarity
This study aims 1) to analyze the longitudinal rate of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in national squad athletes, 2) to assess acute and prolonged health-related consequences in athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 3) to reveal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in general and of a cleared SARS-CoV-2 infection on physical performance
CoSmo-S (COVID-19 in elite sports—A multi-center cohort study) is organized as a prospective observational multicenter hybrid cohort study by establishing and investigate two study cohorts: 1) Athletes diagnosed positive for Covid-19 disease and 2) federal squad athletes and Paralympic athletes* who routinely present themselves for their annual sports medical preparticipation screening (Figure 1)
Summary
It is unclear whether and to what extent COVID-19 infection poses health risks and a chronic impairment of performance in athletes. SARS-CoV-2 in sports and return to play (RTP)
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