The incidence of acute respiratory infections(ARinf),including SARS-CoV-2,in unvaccinated student rugby players during phases from complete lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic to returning to competition is unknown....The incidence of acute respiratory infections(ARinf),including SARS-CoV-2,in unvaccinated student rugby players during phases from complete lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic to returning to competition is unknown.The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of ARinf(including SARS-CoV-2)during noncontact and contact phases during the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate risk mitigation strategies.In this retrospective cohort study,319 top tier rugby players from 17 universities completed an online questionnaire.ARinf was reported during 4 phases over 14 months(April 2020–May 2021):phase 1(individual training),phase 2(non-contact team training),phase 3(contact team training)and phase 4(competition).Incidence(per 1000 player days)and Incidence Ratio(IR)for‘All ARinf’,and subgroups(SARS-CoV-2;‘Other ARinf’)are reported.Selected factors associated with ARinf were also explored.The incidence of‘All ARinf’(0.31)was significantly higher for SARS-CoV-2(0.23)vs.‘Other ARinf’(0.08)(p<0.01).The incidence of‘All ARinf’(IR¼3.6;p<0.01)and SARS-CoV-2(IR¼4.2;p<0.01)infection was significantly higher during contact(phases 3þ4)compared with non-contact(phases 1þ2).Demographics,level of sport,co-morbidities,allergies,influenza vaccination,injuries and lifestyle habits were not associated with ARinf incidence.In student rugby,contact phases are associated with a 3–4 times higher incidence of ARinf/SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-contact phases.Infection risk mitigation strategies in the contact sport setting are important.Data from this study serve as a platform to which future research on incidence of ARinf in athletes within contact team sports,can be compared.展开更多
基金supported by funding of the International Olympic Committee(IOC).CS received a scholarship made possible through funding by the South African Medical Research Council through its Division of Research Capacity Development under the SAMRC Clinician Researcher Programme.Research reported in this publication was also supported by Self-Initiated Research Grants from the South African Medical Research Council awarded to NS.The content hereof is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the SAMRC.Funders were not involved in the preparation of this manuscript.
文摘The incidence of acute respiratory infections(ARinf),including SARS-CoV-2,in unvaccinated student rugby players during phases from complete lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic to returning to competition is unknown.The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of ARinf(including SARS-CoV-2)during noncontact and contact phases during the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate risk mitigation strategies.In this retrospective cohort study,319 top tier rugby players from 17 universities completed an online questionnaire.ARinf was reported during 4 phases over 14 months(April 2020–May 2021):phase 1(individual training),phase 2(non-contact team training),phase 3(contact team training)and phase 4(competition).Incidence(per 1000 player days)and Incidence Ratio(IR)for‘All ARinf’,and subgroups(SARS-CoV-2;‘Other ARinf’)are reported.Selected factors associated with ARinf were also explored.The incidence of‘All ARinf’(0.31)was significantly higher for SARS-CoV-2(0.23)vs.‘Other ARinf’(0.08)(p<0.01).The incidence of‘All ARinf’(IR¼3.6;p<0.01)and SARS-CoV-2(IR¼4.2;p<0.01)infection was significantly higher during contact(phases 3þ4)compared with non-contact(phases 1þ2).Demographics,level of sport,co-morbidities,allergies,influenza vaccination,injuries and lifestyle habits were not associated with ARinf incidence.In student rugby,contact phases are associated with a 3–4 times higher incidence of ARinf/SARS-CoV-2 compared to non-contact phases.Infection risk mitigation strategies in the contact sport setting are important.Data from this study serve as a platform to which future research on incidence of ARinf in athletes within contact team sports,can be compared.
