SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 illness, presents unique health issues that should be considered in student-athletes prior to a return to sports and exercise. While the vast majority of young persons afflicted with the coronavirus have mild symptoms or remain asymptomatic, the infection can cause direct injury or inflammation to the heart and lungs, especially in patients ill enough to require hospitalization. Cardiopulmonary concerns from COVID-19 arise from data in severely ill adult patients, where approximately 1 in 5 hospitalized patients suffers from cardiac or thromboembolic (clotting) complications.9,13 However, evidence on the prevalence and risks of these complications in adolescents and in individuals who have had a milder form of the illness remains limited.7 An expert task force was formed from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) to provide guidance for the medical assessment of student-athletes with prior COVID-19 illness before sports participation. The task force recommends that schools consider a supplemental questionnaire addressing medical issues specific to COVID-19 (Figure 1). Any positive response from the survey should trigger an evaluation by a medical provider prior to sports participation.
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