Return-to-Play Considerations After COVID-19 Infection in Elite Athletes

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique challenge for sports medicine staffs as they attempt to safely transition elite athletes into sport participation after COVID-19 infections. Athletes must isolate for a period after testing positive for COVID-19 to prevent the spread of the virus in a community. After an isolation period, a battery of cardiac tests must be given to assess whether an athlete is ready to begin a reconditioning protocol. A return-to-play plan should be established to safely reintegrate high-level athletes into strength and conditioning, sport-specific drill work, and contact drill work. Elite athletes should also be gradually eased back into full training loads to avoid increases in orthopaedic injuries after a prolonged absence from training.