USA Fencing

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – As the pandemic continues across the globe, the scientific community continues to learn more each day about the potential long-term effects and comorbidities associated to COVID-19, including concerns regarding cardiovascular health following infection.

The American Medical Association and associated professionals have recently published vital information for athletes considering returning to sport following COVID-19 infection. As this virus continues to affect athletes around the world, sports medicine professionals are looking to help sport individuals return to sport safely.

Takeaway points from the American Medical Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and the National Federation of State High School Associations include:

• The resources linked below are a consensus of expert opinions regarding a clinical framework providing guidance for when patients should resume sport and exercises after COVID-19 infection.
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19, it is recommended that that you seek out consultation from your physician or a sports medicine physician as there may be additional cardiovascular concerns associated with COVID-19.
• These resources provide an infographic and flow chart with detailed benchmarks for both COVID-19 positive patients and asymptomatic patients who are COVID-19-negative.
• The papers discuss the cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 infection and how these should be considered when evaluating whether an individual is ready to return to exercise.
• Specific recommendations are provided for patients who have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection.
• Additionally, the resources below provide recommendations for factors that clinicians should consider in helping patients decide whether to return to sport activities. However, authors emphasize that they have focused on cardiovascular considerations and that other factors are also important to consider.

Resources

• A Game Plan for the Resumption of Sport and Exercise After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Infection, American Medical Association and Journal of the American Medical Association Cardiology
• Infographic. Graduated Return to Play Guidance Following COVID-19 Infection., British Journal of Sports Medicine
• Cardiopulmonary Considerations for High School Student-Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: NFHS-AMSSM Guidance Statement, National Federation of State High School Associations and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine