Is It Safe to Play Sports In COVID-19 Period ?

Sports Safety

Playing sports is great for children and adults. It has both physical and psychological benefits. Sports can increase physical coordination, fitness, and self-esteem. They also teach important lessons about teamwork and self-discipline.

But children are at risk for sports injuries. That's because their bodies are still growing and their coordination is still developing. Many children ages 14 and younger are treated for sports-related injuries each year. Half of all of those injuries can be prevented with proper use of safety gear and changes to the playing environment.

Is It Safe to Play Sports?

After a spring of being cooped up and benched due to COVID, many kids are ready to say, “Put me in, coach!”

But parents anxious as they may be to have their kids return to play -- may wonder if it’s safe to head back to the court or ballfield. Or, does sweat, spit, slides, slam-dunks, and other common sports scenarios make play too risky during the days of COVID?

It depends on the sport and how it’s played. In May, the CDC issued new guidelines for youth sports organizations to consider when reopening and ranked sports settings by their potential to spread the coronavirus.

“The lowest level of risk in youth sports would be at home, practicing individual skills level drills,” says Grant Baldwin, PhD, co-leader of the CDC’s Community Interventions and At-Risk Task Force, COVID-19 Response. “The riskiest thing would be full competition, with no changes and no mitigation strategies implemented, and playing teams from different areas, in a travel team environment.”

A new 16-page report by the National Federation of State High School Associations provides further guidance for the safe reopening of athletics and activities. It lists potential infection risk by sport, based on United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee -- Sports Medicine recommendations. Football and wrestling rank among the riskiest sports, while golf and running are some of the safest, in terms of catching COVID.

While You’re There

Ready to play ball? Slather on the sunscreen and sanitizer, but skip the mask.

It’s “not advisable” for kids to wear masks when playing sports, says Baldwin. But coaches, staff, referees, parents, and spectators should wear masks as much as possible, per CDC recommendations.

Masks aren’t the only change you’ll see at the game during this new age of youth sports. Gone are the days of high-fives, handshakes, hugs, and fist bumps. The CDC and sports organizations are asking players and coaches to avoid these celebratory moves because such contact could spread COVID germs. Also, no more clustering of kids on the sidelines or benches to cheer on their teammates. Players who aren’t actively in the game should keep 6 feet away from others at all times.

After the Game

Immediately after game play, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Clean and disinfect all balls, bats, helmets, chairs, shoes, and other gear that you brought with you. Wash uniforms as soon as you get home.