Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
11
Issue
1
Publisher
Nature
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences / Australian Centre for Research into Injury in Sport and its Prevention (ACRISP)
RAS ID
42629
Funders
The Centre for Public Health and Health Services Research of the Paracelsus Medical University
Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre
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/.
DOI
10.1038/s41598-021-03820-9
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Van der Zee-Neuen, A., Schaffler-Schaden, D., Herfert, J., O'Brien, J., Johansson, T., Kutschar, P., . . . Flamm, M. (2021). A case report of COVID-19 monitoring in the Austrian professional football league. Scientific Reports, 11, article 24416.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03820-9