A case report of COVID-19 monitoring in the Austrian professional football league

Abstract

Since the beginning of the COVID -19 pandemic, many contact sport teams are facing major challenges to safely continue training and competition. We present the design and implementation of a structured monitoring concept for the Austrian national football league. 146 professional players from five clubs of the professional Austrian football league were monitored for a period of 12 weeks. Subjective health parameters, PCR- test results and data obtained from a geo-tracking app were collected. Simulations modelling the consequences of a COVID-19 case with increasing reproduction number were computed. No COVID -19 infection occurred during the observation period in the players. Infections in the nearer surroundings lead to increased perceived risk of infection. Geo tracking was particularly hindered due to technical problems and reluctance of users. Simulation models suggested a hypothetical shut-down of all training and competition activities. A structured monitoring concept can help to continue contact sports safely in times of a pandemic. Cooperation of all involved is essential. Trial registration: ID: DRKS00022166 15/6/2020 https://www.who.int/ictrp/search/en/.

Impact of COVID-19 on football attacking players’ match technical performance: a longitudinal study

“…Research into the impact of COVID-19 on individual players provides valuable insights for developing specific training and match preparation strategies. Representative studies on players primarily center on the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate 15 , 16 and transmission risk after resuming professional football 17 – 19 , the testing protocol 20 – 24 and surveillance for COVID-19 2 , 25 and infection control policies for players 26 . Certain studies offer practical suggestions for designing training sessions to aid players in returning to sports following the lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic 27 .…”