Kick start training during the COVID-19 pandemic - Challenges of the sporting community

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly spread across the world with increasing morbidity and mortality, leading to implementation of strict preventive measures. Athletes and the sporting community are currently confined to homes, and sporting events are being postponed with times of uncertainty, where physical, technical, and psychological damage is inevitable. The clinical and immunological behavior of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection is still being analyzed. Exercise in moderation has positive effects on human immunity and wellbeing. Athletes need to be guided to maintain physical, psychological and nutritional conditioning using available knowledge and opportunities. Practice of national health recommendations when training in the home environment and adapting to the ‘new normal’ environment will be a challenge. Scientific sporting bodies around the world have recommended well planned stepwise structured processes for the resumption of normal training for the safety of the athletes and the wider community. It is recommended, whenever possible that guidance and strategies are developed using the best available scientific evidence.