Many nations are pursuing the rollout of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as an exit strategy from unprecedented COVID-19related restrictions. However, the success of this strategy relies critically on the duration of protective immunity resulting from both natural infection and vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits an adaptive immune response against a large breadth of viral epitopes, although the duration of the response varies with age and disease severity. Current evidence from case studies and large observational studies suggests that, consistent with research on other common respiratory viruses, a protective immunological response lasts for approximately 5-12 months from primary infection, with reinfection being more likely given an insufficiently robust primary humoral response. Markers of humoral and cell-mediated immune memory can persist over many months, and might help to mitigate against severe disease upon reinfection. Emerging data, including evidence of breakthrough infections, suggest that vaccine effectiveness might be reduced significantly against emerging variants of concern, and hence secondary vaccines will need to be developed to maintain population-level protective immunity. Nonetheless, other interventions will also be required, with further outbreaks likely to occur due to antigenic drift, selective pressures for novel variants, and global population mobility.

This study examined whether scheduling of object control (e.g., throwing, catching) and locomotor skills (e.g., running, jumping), within an integrated neuromuscular training (INT) program, results in different responses in motor competence, muscular fitness and perceived motor competence in 6-7 year old children. Seventy seven boys and 63 girls (n = 140) from 3 primary schools were randomised into three, 10-week interventions, Loco First (n = 50) where locomotor skills were performed first followed by object control skills; Object First (n =48) where object control skills were performed first followed by locomotor skills or a control group (n =42, CON) who undertook school Physical Education. Results indicated greater total motor competence in Loco First and Object First vs CON (P = 0.001) with the increases in motor competence being greater for Object First vs Loco First (P = 0.001). Sprint speed (10m) was lower for Object First vs CON (P = .024). Standing long jump distance was greater in Loco First vs CON (P .0001) and Object First (P = .0001). Seated medicine ball throw distance was greater for Loco First and Object First vs CON (Both P = .001). Perceived motor competence was also higher for Object First vs Loco First (P = .005) and CON (P = .001). This study suggests that scheduling object control skills before locomotor skills within school-based strength and conditioning has a greater effect on motor competence, muscular fitness and perceived motor competence in 6-7 year old children.

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ObjectiveTo describe the characteristics of athletes with solid-organ transplants (TxA) attending the British and World Transplant Games.Methods220 TxA completed an online survey to explore transplant history, medications, training advice and support and limitations to training.ResultsTxA were predominantly caucasian, male, kidney recipients in their mid-forties and approximately 11 years post-transplant. The majority of TxA took some form of medication (immunosuppressants 88%, steroids 47%, antihypertensives 47%, statins 28%, antiplatelets 26%, antibiotics/antivirals/antifungals 20%). Stem cell recipients were least likely to require medication. Post-transplant complications were experienced by 40% of TxA, with 53% of these being rejection. Although over half the participants (57%) initially received exercise or training advice post-transplant, only 34% of these received this from their consultants or immediate medical team. Only 1% had been specifically directed towards transplant sport. Half of the TxA (53%) perceived there were limitations preventing them from performing at their potential, 45% considered they did not recover from training as well as non-TxA while 29% felt they trained equally to non-Tx’s. Only 6% considered medication impaired training. TxA competed for a range of reasons from social and health benefits to winning medals.ConclusionsTxA compete at the British and World Transplant Games for a diverse range of reasons. Athletes manage a range of medications with a range of exercise and health experiences pre-transplant. TxA face a lack of both general and specific exercise training and recovery guidance. The individuality of each TxA‘s background should be considered and is likely reflected in their exercise capacity and goals.