COVID-19 and sports – an online survey on the impact of the pandemic and possible preventive measures

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of worldwide governmental restrictions and preventative measures with large impact on social life.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the pandemic on individual and general sport activities in an effort to provide information for safe return to community sports.DesignAn electronic survey was launched in June 2020 in German and English language. The anonymous questionnaire collected epidemiological data and responses ’before’,’during’ and ’after’ confinement conditions. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used.SettingMost participants practiced their sport in Europe (93.9%);68.5% were active athletes, 10.1% coaches, 10.1% had other sports functions, 11.3% indicated no regular sports activity.Participants1336 adults (30.5±11.7 years;54.0% women) participated in the survey.Assessment of Risk FactorsRisk factors for a serious course of COVID-19 disease were queried.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe type, extent and intensity of physical activity were defined as main outcome measures.ResultsDuring confinement, 15.7% could perform their main sport unrestricted, 43.5% stated a reduced amount of time spent on sporting activities, 46.4% a reduced intensity level. Most participants were neither aware of screening measures (77.5%) nor of guidelines for dealing with infected athletes (80.0%) or for return to sports after a coronavirus infection (88.6%). Preventive measures mentioned included basic hygiene, measures to reduce personal contacts or virus transmission, or to improve traceability. During confinement, higher age (p = 0.004) and training in a club-setting (p < 0.001) were associated with reduced sporting activity, while the availability of online training (p = 0.030) was linked to increased extent and intensity levels. Lower age (p = 0.001) and recreational sports level (p = 0.005) were associated with decreased activity after confinement.ConclusionsWhile isolation is a necessary measure to protect public health, it also alters physical activity.