What are the timeline recommendations for the resumption of sports activities based on as it relates to the respective groups?
Löllgen: The timelines are based on empirical findings and prior experience gained from infectious diseases, colds or influenza infection. One problem when it comes to COVID-19 is that findings and insights slightly change every week. For example, the previous recommendation stated that quarantine should last for a period of 14 days. Meanwhile, a U.S. study indicates that 11 days is a sufficient quarantine period. The pivotal question is how long athletes should wait to resume sports after they have been infected or exposed. The rule of thumb is about two to four weeks in this case. Moderate non-intensive endurance training may be resumed after two weeks. Some parameters are associated with the severity of infection and can be monitored for this purpose. This includes NT-proBNP and hsTroponin for cardiac settings or immune-inflammatory markers. High-resolution CTs (HRCT) can be used to detect changes in pulmonary structure. Generally, it is always recommendable to slowly start up again after any disease and gradually increase the intensity after a week or two.
How often should team sports athletes undergo testing?
Löllgen: The decision is up to medical consultants and the local health department. From time to time, it makes sense to repeat testing two or three times successively if there are symptoms present. It is imperative to test every 24 days, especially if a member of the team has tested positive for COVID-19.
How do the various sports and leisure facilities address the relevant physical distancing and equipment requirements?
Löllgen: Sports medicine facilities have adapted their conduct and equipment to meet the hygiene criteria. Club presidents or trainers are in charge of regulatory compliance in the respective sports clubs. They must ensure that social distancing measures are implemented in the locker rooms and warrant that athletes wear face masks and avoid physical contact if possible. If someone has become infected despite these precautions, the entire sports club is locked down for the time being. By now, medical practices also use point-of-care testing. These tests should also see increased application in sports facilities. According to the manufacturers, the test has a 99 percent specificity rate.
How will COVID-19 be highlighted at the MEDICA Medicine + Sports Conference (MMSC) 2020 as it relates to sports?
Löllgen: COVID-19 will be addressed as part of the "infectious diseases and implications for professional and recreational sports" outline. A special Session is dedicated to this subject.