AUTHOR=Niess Andreas Michael , Widmann Manuel , Gaidai Roman , Gölz Christian , Schubert Isabel , Castillo Katty , Sachs Jan Philipp , Bizjak Daniel , Vollrath Shirin , Wimbauer Fritz , Vogel Azin , Keller Karsten , Burgstahler Christof , Quermann Anne , Kerling Arno , Schneider Gerald , Zacher Jonas , Diebold Katharina , Grummt Maximilian , Beckendorf Claudia , Buitenhuis Johannes , Egger Florian , Venhorst Andreas , Morath Oliver , Barsch Friedrich , Mellwig Klaus-Peter , Oesterschlink Julian , Wüstenfeld Jan , Predel Hans-Georg , Deibert Peter , Friedmann-Bette Birgit , Mayer Frank , Hirschmüller Anja , Halle Martin , Steinacker Jürgen Michael , Wolfarth Bernd , Meyer Tim , Böttinger Erwin , Flechtner-Mors Marion , Bloch Wilhelm , Haller Bernhard , Roecker Kai , Reinsberger Claus 

TITLE=COVID-19 in German Competitive Sports: Protocol for a Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study (CoSmo-S)

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=67

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604414

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604414

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> It is unclear whether and to what extent COVID-19 infection poses health risks and a chronic impairment of performance in athletes. Identification of individual health risk is an important decision-making basis for managing the pandemic risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in sports and return to play (RTP).</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> This study aims 1) to analyze the longitudinal rate of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in German athletes, 2) to assess health-related consequences in athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 3) to reveal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in general and of a cleared SARS-CoV-2 infection on exercise performance. CoSmo-S is a prospective observational multicenter study establishing two cohorts: 1) athletes diagnosed positive for COVID-19 (cohort 1) and 2) federal squad athletes who perform their annual sports medical preparticipation screening (cohort 2). Comprehensive diagnostics including physical examination, laboratory blood analyses and blood biobanking, resting and exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, spirometry and exercise testing added by questionnaires are conducted at baseline and follow-up.</p><p><bold>Results and Conclusion:</bold> We expect that the results obtained, will allow us to formulate recommendations regarding RTP on a more evidence-based level.</p>