Covid-19: Can we still play sports?
Since the decisions taken at the federal level Thursday evening, we are frequently asked about the opportunity or the dangers of still practicing physical and sports activity during the Covid-19 epidemic. A clarification seemed necessary to us.
All sports centers will be closed until April 03. It is a wise decision. In normal times, these establishments have a large population, sometimes in a certain promiscuity in the changing rooms, showers, sports halls themselves, and possibly even cafeterias. It is obvious that these are places favorable to the spread of "germs", particularly if basic hygiene conditions are not respected. They had to be closed. It is done !
The question now is whether athletes can practice their favorite activity with their usual group of friends, colleagues, etc. Formally, the answer is no since any gathering of a public or private nature is currently legally prohibited. Some people doubtless say that the police have other fish to fry than to stop a group of cycle tourists or a few joggers who have decided to make their Sunday outing together. At their own risk!
From a health point of view, we can only recommend not to practice group sport. Indeed, physical activity induces a significant increase in pulmonary ventilation and this is accompanied by an increased rejection of microdroplets in the exhaled air. This is called the aerosol effect. These microdroplets carry the virus of the infected athlete who ignores himself. Indeed, if he is a carrier and even if he does not present any symptoms (14 days of incubation of the virus), he risks infecting his training partners. So abstain, temporarily!
Those who are fond of physical activities then wonder if they can practice their sport alone in the open air. Formally nothing prevents them from doing so. But is it dangerous for health? The answer in this case is more nuanced. Practicing a physical activity alone in the open air does not risk contaminating the athlete and it will obviously not contaminate anyone. Still, they could trigger the disease. It is indeed very likely that a number of people are carriers of the virus but do not show any symptoms. These are the patients who ignore Dr. Knock!
For others, it is necessary to plead wisdom and moderation. You can continue to exercise, but do it alone and outdoors. Be sure to stay well below your limits so as not to damage your immune system which you would need in case of infection! Regular and moderate physical activity is, and remains, beneficial for your health. The word "moderate" particularly takes on its meaning in the period we are going through.