A Case Report of COVID-19 Monitoring in the Austrian Professional Football League

Overview

Journal Sci Rep

Specialty Science

Date 2021 Dec 25

PMID 34952910

Citations 1

Authors

Antje van der Zee-Neuen

Dagmar Schaffler-Schaden

Jurgen Herfert

James O Brien

Tim Johansson

Patrick Kutschar

Alexander Seymer

Stephan Ludwig

Thomas Stoggl

David Keeley

Herbert Resch

Jurgen Osterbrink

Maria Flamm

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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/ .

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