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Review
. 2020 Oct;41(13):895-911.
doi: 10.1055/a-1180-3692. Epub 2020 May 29.

Returning to Play after Prolonged Training Restrictions in Professional Collision Sports

Keith A Stokes  1   2 , Ben Jones  3   4   5   6 , Mark Bennett  7   8 , Graeme L Close  9   10 , Nicholas Gill  11   12 , James H Hull  13 , Andreas M Kasper  10 , Simon P T Kemp  2 , Stephen D Mellalieu  14 , Nicholas Peirce  15 , Bob Stewart  2 , Benjamin T Wall  16 , Stephen W West  1 , Matthew Cross  1   10
Affiliations
Review

Returning to Play after Prolonged Training Restrictions in Professional Collision Sports

Keith A Stokes et al. Int J Sports Med. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has resulted in widespread training disruption in many sports. Some athletes have access to facilities and equipment, while others have limited or no access, severely limiting their training practices. A primary concern is that the maintenance of key physical qualities (e. g. strength, power, high-speed running ability, acceleration, deceleration and change of direction), game-specific contact skills (e. g. tackling) and decision-making ability, are challenged, impacting performance and injury risk on resumption of training and competition. In extended periods of reduced training, without targeted intervention, changes in body composition and function can be profound. However, there are strategies that can dramatically mitigate potential losses, including resistance training to failure with lighter loads, plyometric training, exposure to high-speed running to ensure appropriate hamstring conditioning, and nutritional intervention. Athletes may require psychological support given the challenges associated with isolation and a change in regular training routine. While training restrictions may result in a decrease in some physical and psychological qualities, athletes can return in a positive state following an enforced period of rest and recovery. On return to training, the focus should be on progression of all aspects of training, taking into account the status of individual athletes.

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Conflict of interest statement

No funding was received for the preparation of this review. KAS, GLC, AMK, SPTK and BS are employed by the Rugby Football Union. BJ is employed by the Rugby Football League. MB is employed by the Rugby Union of Russia. NG is employed by New Zealand Rugby Union. MC is employed by Premiership Rugby. The review was prepared based on the ethical standards of the International Journal of Sports Medicine 168

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Incidence ( a injuries per 1000 hours) and burden ( b days lost per 1000 hours) of training injuries during the pre-season and early competition period in the English Premiership (2014–15 to 2018–19 seasons).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Training considerations following return to play after the period of restricted training due to COVID-19. Reintroduction of group training will require progressions and structure of training to be developed with reference to risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Return to play risk stratification for athletes following COVID-19 symptoms.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A summary of ‘at risk’ athletes following modified training due to COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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