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Successful return to professional men's football (soccer) competition after the COVID-19 shutdown: a cohort study in the German Bundesliga.
Meyer, Tim; Mack, Dietrich; Donde, Katrin; Harzer, Oliver; Krutsch, Werner; Rössler, Annika; Kimpel, Janine; von Laer, Dorothee; Gärtner, Barbara C.
  • Meyer T; Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany tim.meyer@mx.uni-saarland.de.
  • Mack D; Bioscientia Laboratory Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany.
  • Donde K; Bioscientia Laboratory Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany.
  • Harzer O; Bioscientia Laboratory Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany.
  • Krutsch W; Department of Trauma Surgery, Universitatsklinikum Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
  • Rössler A; Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
  • Kimpel J; Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
  • von Laer D; Institute of Virology, Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Public Health, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
  • Gärtner BC; Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Universitatsklinikum des Saarlandes und Medizinische Fakultat der Universitat des Saarlandes, Homburg, Saarland, Germany.
Br J Sports Med ; 55(1): 62-66, 2021 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1060118
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the restart of the German Bundesliga (football (soccer)) during the COVID-19 pandemic from a medical perspective.

METHODS:

Participants were male professional football players from the two highest German leagues and the officials working closely with them. Our report covers nine match days spread over 9 weeks (May to July 2020). Daily symptom monitoring, PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA twice weekly, and antibody tests (on two occasions-early during the phase in May 2020 and in the week of the last match) were conducted. Target variables were (1) onset of typical COVID-19 symptoms, (2) positive PCR results, and (3) IgG seroconversion against SARS-CoV-2. All detected seroconversions were controlled by neutralisation tests.

FINDINGS:

Suspicious symptoms were reported for one player; an immediate additional PCR test as well as all subsequent diagnostic and antibody tests proved negative for coronavirus. Of 1702 regularly tested individuals (1079 players, 623 officials members), 8 players and 4 officials tested positive during one of the first rounds of PCR testing prior to the onset of team training, 2 players during the third round. No further positive results occurred during the remainder of the season. 694 players and 291 officials provided two serum samples for antibody testing. Nine players converted from negative/borderline to positive (without symptoms); two players who initially tested positive tested negative at the end of the season. 22 players remained seropositive throughout the season. None of the seroconversions was confirmed in the neutralisation test.

CONCLUSION:

Professional football training and matches can be carried out safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires strict hygiene measures including regular PCR testing.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Soccer / Return to Sport / COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Br J Sports Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bjsports-2020-103150

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Soccer / Return to Sport / COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Br J Sports Med Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Bjsports-2020-103150