What are the recommendations for returning athletes who have experienced long term COVID-19 symptoms?

Annals of Medicine

Lee Smith¹  Yvonne Barnett¹  Jae Il Shin²  Laurie T. Butler³  Damiano Pizzol⁴  Mark A. Tully⁵  Jason J. Wilson⁶  Olawale Olanrewaju⁷  Guillermo F. López-Sánchez⁸  Mike Trott⁸  Peter Allen⁹  Rosie K. Lindsay⁹ 

[1] Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea;Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Khartoum, Sudan ZIP;School of Health Sciences, Institute of Mental Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey, UK;Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, School of Sport, Ulster University, UK;The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;Vision and Eye Research Institute, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;Vision and Hearing Sciences Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK;

关键词: Athletes;    physical activity;    long-COVID;    COVID-19;    rehabilitation;    return to play;   

DOI  :  10.1080/07853890.2021.1992496

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Currently, there is limited research reporting the symptoms of long COVID among athletes, and the recommendations for athletes returning to competition/training who have experienced long COVID symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to synthesise the recommendations for returning athletes who have experienced long COVID symptoms. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO under CRD42021265939. Two authors searched the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus from August 2019-July 2021. Search terms included words related to “long COVID”, “athlete” and “return”. Data extraction was completed for each study by two independent investigators for: (1) first author name; (2) year of publication; (3) journal; (4) Definition of athlete (i.e. elite or non-elite) (5) Recommendations reported. A total of 220 records were found. Following title and abstract screening, 61 studies were eligible for full text screening. Overall, no studies, commentaries, editorials or reviews provided specific recommendations for “long COVID” defined as COVID-19 signs and symptoms lasting for over 4 weeks as a result of COVID-19 infection. In addition, we found no studies which reported symptoms of athletes suffering from long COVID. Despite the lack of evidence, we did find eight separate professional recommendations for managing “long-term effects” and “ongoing” or “prolonged” symptoms and COVID-19 complications among athletes. Practitioners should be aware of both mental and physical symptoms of long COVID, and additional considerations may be required for athletes who have undergone intensive care. The present review provides a list of recommendations based on existing literature that may be followed and implemented for returning athletes.Key MessagesFurther research, including longitudinal research of athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19, is required to develop evidenced-based guidelines for athletes with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms.Prior to returning to play after COVID-19 infection, a thorough medical history, physical and psychological examination should be conducted by a medical professional.Athletes should continue to monitor and record their own physical and psychological markers of health.

【 授权许可】

Unknown