Sports make the world go round without a doubt. People from all walks of life come together to engage
in sporting activity, whether it’s football, athletics, car racing, boxing, casino games, etc. Sports cut
across all forms of barriers - religion, culture, language, gender, or geographic locations.
However, since the recent COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe, the sporting world has never been the
same, and one wonders if normalcy is to be expected anytime soon. Specialists from
this site will help
you know more about how coronavirus has changed sports life during the pandemic.
Sports in the World during a Pandemic
Sports command a legion of fans all around the world. For instance, during a football game, fans of the
two playing teams will fill up the stadium to capacity to support their respective sides and watch their
favorite players in action. However, during a pandemic like the current COVID-19 situation, this is so
much affected. Like the current English Premier League has been played in empty stadiums, fans cannot
avoid infection risk.
Not only do sports teams lose a lot of revenue in match tickets, but also the morale of the players is
affected for playing without the cheers of fans. Fans of the popular WWE wrestling sport have been
forced to attend fight shows virtually during the pandemic, which takes away the adrenaline rush of
watching your favorite wrestlers do their thing in real life. A lot of uncertainties also become
commonplace, like when players and coaching staff start getting infected.
The Tokyo Olympics are supposed to happen in 2021, but still, there is so much uncertainty surrounding
it. Although some sports like football and tennis have managed to sail on, albeit with empty stadiums
and less hype than in regular seasons, many stakeholders and planning logistics have been affected by
the pandemic. In the Olympics instance, athletes will need to travel from all corners of the world,
increasing the risk of the virus spreading.
What Is the Potential Risk of Exercise?
Some sports like athletics may allow one to train solo or with just one trainer, thus limiting the chances
of contact. For instance, a marathon runner will go about their regular training as usual during the
COVID-19 pandemic provided that they observe safety protocols like washing hands, sanitizing, wearing
masks, and observing social distance.
However, team sports like soccer are different because players have to assemble together and train as a
team to ensure coordination and good performance during a live match. Although they may try to
observe social distance and other safety measures, sports are heavily indulging. Even the breathing
patterns of players are more intense, making the virus spread even more easily.
If you are part of a swimming team, although you may avoid direct contact from person to person to
avoid infections, sharing the same pool for exercise can be risky where an infected person can leave
germs in the water for you to collect. There also might be injuries during exercise which means the
people near the injured person will rush in their aid and make contact.
Some Practical Tips for Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic
No one can be able to predict a world pandemic. It creeps into our lives like a thief in the night, as is the
case with COVID-19. The sporting industry employs many people, not only those who play active roles
on the pitch but also those who run things in the background and make things possible. It is therefore
important for sports to continue even during the pandemic but in a very supervised environment.
You can exercise safely during the pandemic by:
- Avoiding any risky behavior in your normal life, like going to clubs and other unsanctioned
gatherings that may increase infection chances.
- Following the set-out guidelines like washing hands regularly, using sanitizers, wearing face
masks, and observing social distancing.
- Demanding full compliance from your teammates. If you are going to exercise with your
teammates, hold them accountable for following the set guidelines to put you at risk.
- Getting tested regularly. If you are a sports team member, everyone should undergo mandatory
testing regularly, including all coaching and support staff.
- Cleansing regularly, like cleaning all your sporting gear and equipment and spraying stadiums
and so on.
Seeing that COVID-19 is related to breathing avoids exercising in crowded or enclosed places but instead
opt for open spaces with free airflow.
Wrapping Up
COVID-19 has hit the world on an unprecedented scale. Sports have been among the most affected,
with important tournaments being postponed or canceled and players having to cope with empty
stadiums. Billions of dollars have also sunk in lost revenue. However, as the world of science continues
to wrestle with this pandemic, players should put their health first and observe all safety measures to
ensure we all make it in one piece.