Return to play after SARS-COV-2 infection: Safe sport for children and adolescents

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: With the progressive spread of the coronavi-rus among the youngest and the need for a safe resumption of physical activity, several protocols have been proposed for healed athletes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the presence of cardio-respiratory complications in the pediatric population after mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method(s) From January 2021 the protocols of the Italian Sports Medical Federation were applied to all the children and adoles-cents who came to our observation for return-to-play after covid infection. The protocols take into account the severity of the infection. In case of mild or asymptomatic infection echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, treadmill ECG test and pul-monary function tests were performed. Result(s) From January 2021 to November 2021, 169 children and adolescents (mean age 14+3 ys;male = 92) with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated according to the protocols in force after an average time of 48 + 13 days from SARS-CoV-2 swab negativity. 60,3% of the subjects (N = 102) reported an asymptomatic infection;39,7 % reported a mild symptomatic infection. Results of lung function test have exceeded the limit of 80% of the theoretical value in all patients. No subject presented evidence of cardiovascular function impairment. Conclusion(s) The data obtained showed that, in the pediatric pop-ulation, mild coronavirus infection does not cause cardiorespira-tory complications in the short and medium term. This reinforce the evidence from preliminary studies that return to play after Coronavirus infection seems to be safe and must be strongly recommended. It will therefore be possible to assess the possibility of lightening or even suspending these evaluations in the cases of mild coronavirus infection in the pediatric age groups.