Identifying the Positive and Negative Consequences of COVID-19 Pandemic on Iranian Student Sports: A Qualitative Study

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to profound changes at various levels of society, and sports is not immune to this. It is very important to study and identify the consequences of COVID-19 in different parts of the sports in Iran. The aim of the present study was to identify the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on Iranian student sports with emphasis on beneficiaries. Methods: This qualitative study was an exploratory research and in terms of purpose was considered as applied research. The statistical population of the study included sports teachers, professors of Farhangian University, managers of the General Office of Physical Education and sports experts of the Ministry of Education which were selected through purposive sampling method. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants to collect information and theoretical saturation was obtained with 17 interviews. To analyze the data, the thematic analysis method was used. Findings: The consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on physical education and sports education consist of four main concepts which include "creating a passive lifestyle, behavioral and social harms, technological-digital development, and family sports”. Conclusion: Considering the results and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to develop appropriate programs to use the opportunities and manage the challenges of the post-COVID-19 era in the field of physical education and sports education for students in Iran. © 2022, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.

Weekly screening of youth male football players: a 14-week longitudinal investigation of interactions between groin pain and long lever adductor squeeze strength.

OBJECTIVES: To explore relationships between groin pain and adductor squeeze strength in male academy football players over a 14-week period. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. METHODS: Weekly monitoring of youth male football players consisted of reporting groin pain and testing long lever adductor squeeze strength. Players who reported groin pain at any time during the study period were stratified into the "groin pain" group while players who did not report pain remained in the "no groin pain" group. Baseline squeeze strength was retrospectively compared between groups. Players that developed groin pain were examined via repeated measures ANOVA at four timepoints: baseline, last squeeze before pain, pain onset, and return to pain-free. RESULTS: 53 players were included (age 14.4 ±â€¯1.6 years). Baseline squeeze strength was not different between players in the "groin pain" (n = 29, 4.35 ±â€¯0.89 N/kg) versus "no groin pain" group (n = 24, 4.33 ±â€¯0.90 N/kg, p = 0.83). At a group level, players with no groin pain maintained similar adductor squeeze strength throughout 14 weeks (p > 0.05). Compared to baseline (4.33 ±â€¯0.90 N/kg), players with groin pain had decreased adductor squeeze strength at the last squeeze before pain (3.91 ±â€¯0.85 N/kg, p = 0.003) and at pain onset (3.58 ±â€¯0.78 N/kg, p < 0.001). Adductor squeeze strength at the point where pain subsided (4.06 ±â€¯0.95 N/kg) was not different from baseline (p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in adductor squeeze strength manifest one-week prior to groin pain onset and further decrease at pain onset. Weekly adductor squeeze strength may be an early detector for groin pain in youth male football players.

Youth sports in a pandemic age

Problem: Youth sporting events is a public health concern as infected youth with coronavirus disease 2019 may unknowingly spread the virus, as many show little to no symptoms (Zimmerman & Nigel, 2020). This project aimed to identify level of adherence to posted Youth Sports Guidelines, which were designed to mitigate the spread of virus at youth sporting events.Methods: An observational descriptive design was utilized. Two observers tallied guideline violations by participants and spectators at six high-contact (basketball) and six low-contact (swimming) public high school youth sporting events.Results: A total of 726 youth sport participants and 139 spectators were observed. Mean total number of violations were higher at high-contact events (145.33 +/- 68.86) compared to low-contact events (87.50 +/- 35.42). The majority of violations involved social distancing and mask violations. Low-contact sporting events had more social distancing violations compared to high-contact events, 391 and 253, respectively. High-contact sporting events had a significant higher number of mask violations compared to low-contact events, 414 and 120, respectively (alpha value of 0.05, p = .032). No significant correlations were identified between violations to the guidelines at the observed youth sporting events and concurrent virus case rates.Implications for practice: Results can guide future decision making related to youth sports, and by implication, other school-sponsored activities. Opportunities for educating the public by advanced practice nurses can improve adherence to health policies and thereby improve health outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

SARS-CoV-2 transmission in teenagers and young adults in Fútbol Club Barcelona's Multidisciplinary Sports Training Academy.

Most studies, aimed at determining the incidence and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in children and teenagers, have been developed in school settings. Our study conducted surveillance and inferred attack rates focusing on the practice of sports. Prospective and observational study of those attending the sports facilities of Fútbol Club Barcelona (FCB), in Barcelona, Spain, throughout the 2020-2021 season. Participants were young players (from five different sports) and adult workers, who belonged to stable teams (shared routines and were involved in same quarantine rules). Biweekly health questionnaires and SARS-CoV-2 screening were conducted. From the 234 participants included, 70 (30%) both lived and trained in the FCB facilities (Recruitment Pathway 1;RP1) and 164 (70%) lived at their own household and just came to the facilities to train (RP2). During the study, 38 positive cases were identified; none had severe symptoms or needed hospitalization. The overall weekly incidence in the cohorts did not differ compared to the one expected in the community, except for 2 weeks when an outbreak occurred. The attack rate (AR) was three times higher for the participants from RP1, in comparison to those from RP2 (p < 0.01). A Basketball team showed a significant higher AR.  Conclusion: Physical activities in stable teams are not related to an increased risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, since there were the same observed cases than expected in the community. The risk is higher in indoor sports (Basketball vs. Football), and in closed cohort living settings (RP1 vs. RP2). The fulfilment of preventive measures is essential. What is Known: • Despite the low numerical impact caused in paediatric hospitalizations during COVID-19 pandemic, the social impact has been maximum. • The transmission potential in children and teenagers is limited, and it had been widely demonstrated in school settings. What is New: • Group physical activities in children and teenagers are not also related to an increased risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, when preventive measures, such as washing hands, and screening protocols are applied. • Routine and semi-professional sports activities seem safe environments to promote during this pandemic.

Do contextual factors, tournament level, and location affect external match load in elite Brazilian youth soccer players?

Objective: The present study compares the external load of a Brazilian first-division U-20 team match between the tournament level (regional vs. national) and the match's location (home or away). Methods: Thirty-five athletes from a U-20 team belonging to the same Brazilian first-division team participated in the study (age=19.1 ±0.58 years;body mass=70.1 ±7.64 kg;height=176.1 ±6.28 cm). Twenty-eight games belonging to the national championship (14 Brasileirão matches) and regional championship (14 Carioca state matches) were analyzed, following these external load variables through a global positioning system: Total distance traveled (TD), player load (PL), distance traveled >20 km/h, distance traveled >25km/h, the number of accelerations and decelerations > 2 m/s2 (AD2) and >3 m/s2 (AD3) and the number of Repeat High-Intensity Efforts (RHIE). A two-factor ANOVA compared the tournament level and the match's location, and the effect size (ES) was verified, considering p≤0.05. Results: Significant differences were found in TD (F=3.42 and ES=0.7), PL (F=4.2 and ES=0.8), D20 (F=2.87 and ES=0.67), AD3 (F=6.49 and ES=0.97), RHIE (F=14.6 and ES=1.18) and in AD2 (F=10.1 and ES=1.24). No effects were found according to location or interaction effects (p>0.1). Conclusion: Findings indicated that the tournament type impacts the external match load - with higher effort values in the national tournament. The location did not affect the external load, but further studies are required to corroborate these results due to the lack of public presence because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following data may be helpful for the coaching staff to consider this factor when planning and programming the training load concerning the tournament in which they are participating. © JPES.

Youth sports in a pandemic age

Problem: Youth sporting events is a public health concern as infected youth with coronavirus disease 2019 may unknowingly spread the virus, as many show little to no symptoms (Zimmerman & Nigel, 2020). This project aimed to identify level of adherence to posted Youth Sports Guidelines, which were designed to mitigate the spread of virus at youth sporting events.Methods: An observational descriptive design was utilized. Two observers tallied guideline violations by participants and spectators at six high-contact (basketball) and six low-contact (swimming) public high school youth sporting events.Results: A total of 726 youth sport participants and 139 spectators were observed. Mean total number of violations were higher at high-contact events (145.33 +/- 68.86) compared to low-contact events (87.50 +/- 35.42). The majority of violations involved social distancing and mask violations. Low-contact sporting events had more social distancing violations compared to high-contact events, 391 and 253, respectively. High-contact sporting events had a significant higher number of mask violations compared to low-contact events, 414 and 120, respectively (alpha value of 0.05, p = .032). No significant correlations were identified between violations to the guidelines at the observed youth sporting events and concurrent virus case rates.Implications for practice: Results can guide future decision making related to youth sports, and by implication, other school-sponsored activities. Opportunities for educating the public by advanced practice nurses can improve adherence to health policies and thereby improve health outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Youth athletes sleep more, practice less, and may lose interest in playing sports due to social distancing mandates.

In-person sport participation was suspended across the United States in the spring of 2020 to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to survey the impact of COVID-19 on young athletes during a period of social and organized sports restrictions. An anonymous cross-sectional survey study was conducted of youth athletes in the midst of social distancing mandates and consisted of six components: demographics, sport participation, changes in sport-related goals/aspirations, sleep habits, and measures of anxiety and depression. 711 individuals who accessed the survey link yielded 575 (81%) participants with responses available for analysis. All respondents (aged 13.0 years) played organized sports, 62% were single-sport athletes, and 74% considered high-level. Participants were training ∼3.3 h less per week, spending more time outside, and 86% of participants continued to train while social distancing. Sleep duration increased (∼1.2 h/night) and sleep quality improved in 29% of young athletes. Additionally, 22% and 28% reported PROMIS® anxiety and depression scores characterized as 'mild', 'moderate', or 'severe'. Older single-sport participants reported higher depression scores, while higher anxiety scores were seen in female participants with fewer years played. 10% of young athletes and 20% of teenagers changed their sports-related goals. Training style modifications, decreased training, and increased sleep quantity and quality were positive effects of COVID-19 restrictions, while athletic aspirational changes were undesirable effects. Single-sport athletes may be at greater risk for psychological symptoms when their routine is altered.

Promoting an Emergency Action Plan for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth Sports During a Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Pandemic-related restrictions increased the risk of delayed emergency response of bystanders to sudden cardiac arrest among youth athletes. Education and SCA emergency preparedness, implemented by nurse leaders and adapted to environmental changes, can greatly reduce the risks associated with an SCA episode. METHOD: A nurse-led, quality improvement pilot project was implemented in a recreational youth soccer league. The project included the implementation of an emergency action plan (EAP; with or without the pandemic and social-distancing restrictions) for bystanders responding to SCA. RESULTS: Participants showed significant improvement in knowledge and perceptions of SCA and emergency response (p < .001). Willingness to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improved (p = .127), and fear to engage in EAP decreased (p = .119) following an educational intervention on SCA. DISCUSSION: Nurse-led SCA education and implementation of youth league EAP successfully demonstrated safety in SCA preparedness and best practice recommendations for youth sports from the Interassociation Task Force.

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) Mountain Biking Injury Surveillance System (ISS): Analysis of 66,588 Student Athlete-Years of Injury Data.

Interscholastic youth cross-country mountain bike racing in the United States has grown significantly over the past decade, yet little is known about the risk profile in this age group. Aiming to protect participants, we implemented a prospective, longitudinal injury surveillance system for the purpose of better understanding youth mountain biking injuries and implementing safety measures. Data were collected during competition years 2018-2020, totaling 66,588 student athlete-years. Designated reporters from each team received weekly emails with exposure and incident report forms. Variables analyzed included demographic, rider-related, trail-related, and other data. Injury characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 were compared to the years 2018 and 2019. More student athletes participated in the 2020 season (25,261) than in prior seasons (18,575 in 2018 and 22,752 in 2019). During competition year 2020, overall injury proportion was lower (1.7% versus 3.0% in 2018 and 2.7% in 2019). Variables associated with injury, body part injured, type of injury, time-loss, and disposition following injury were similar between all years. Despite the pandemic and resultant changes to competition, student athletes continued to ride their bikes and become injured, but the proportion of injuries differed. This report details injury characteristics in youth mountain bike racing, including a comparison of before and during the pandemic.