Strategies and Solutions for Team Sports Athletes in Isolation due to COVID-19

Abstract

In December of 2019, there was an outbreak of a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or in China. The virus rapidly spread into the whole World causing an unprecedented pandemic and forcing governments to impose a global quarantine, entering an extreme unknown situation. The organizational consequences of quarantine/isolation are: absence of organized training and competition, lack of communication among athletes and coaches, inability to move freely, lack of adequate sunlight exposure, inappropriate training conditions. Based on the current scientific, we strongly recommend encouraging the athlete to reset their mindset to understand quarantine as an opportunity for development, organizing appropriate guidance, educating and encourage athletes to apply appropriate preventive behavior and hygiene measures to promote immunity and ensuring good living isolation conditions. The athlete's living space should be equipped with cardio and resistance training equipment (portable bicycle or rowing ergometer). Some forms of body mass resistance circuit-based training could promote aerobic adaptation. Sports skills training should be organized based on the athlete's needs. Personalized conditioning training should be carried out with emphasis on neuromuscular performance. Athletes should also be educated about nutrition (Vitamin D and proteins) and hydration. Strategies should be developed to control body composition. Mental fatigue should be anticipated and mental controlled. Adequate methods of recovery should be provided. Daily monitoring should be established. This is an ideal situation in which to rethink personal life, understanding the situation, that can be promoted in these difficult times that affect practically the whole world.

Neuropsychiatric changes during the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple sclerosis patients

“…In the present study, the FSI measurements indicated that patients deteriorated in terms of cognitive and social subscales while no significant difference was found with regard to the physical subscale during the pandemic. Knowledge of these factors may help MS patients in their struggle against their illnesses and in reducing their perceived stress [28][29][30][31] .…”

The 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic as a Change-Event in Sport Performers’ Careers: Conceptual and Applied Practice Considerations

“…For example, detraining had an impact on caloric balance and metabolism (i.e., increase in body fat and decrease in muscle mass), resulting in expected modifications to sleep and diet practices. Not being able to use their body as they were used to, athletes and referees might have felt restless, experiencing somatic anxiety and negative mood (Jukic et al, 2020).…”

“…In the motor skills dimension, the lack of engagement in physical activity could have led to reductions in speed, technical accuracy, sensorimotor coordination, and movement flow (Tran et al, 2017;Jukic et al, 2020). There is evidence that only 2-4 weeks of training cessation can cause a significant and marked loss of performance in both active populations and elite athletes (see Sousa et al, 2019).…”

Significant reduction of physical activity in patients with neuromuscular disease during COVID-19 pandemic: the long-term consequences of quarantine

“…However, very little has been discussed about the fundamental role of PA and physiotherapy in this subset of patients during the lockdown [17]. Isolation at home can lead to poor nutrition, low sleep quality, reduced PA levels and sedentary habits with different negative consequences, such as increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, insomnia and depression [1,2,10,22,23]. Therefore, it is important to highlight these unwanted consequences of quarantine to develop and provide practical and useful recommendations.…”