How Soon Can My Student Athlete Return to Play after COVID-19?

While student athletes are anxious to resume their competitive schedules for school and/or travel teams, there are important guidelines to respect following a COVID-19 infection.

“People need to understand that healthcare professionals want to see these athletes back competing on the field or court, too,” said Anna Richie, MD, clinical director, Memorial ExpressCare. “We just want them to do it safely so there is minimal danger of a relapse or additional complications from the COVID-19 virus.”

Before Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) can even begin, the athlete must have isolation clearance from the local health department, return to play clearance from the athlete’s physician for mild symptoms (or a cardiologist clearance for moderate to severe symptoms), and the athlete must be asymptomatic when performing normal activities of daily living.

Once cleared, the GRTP guidelines include the following:

• First and second day: 15 minutes of light activity, which can include walking, light jogging, stationary bike. No resistance training.
• Third day: 30 minutes of the same plus simple movement activities like running drills. No resistance training.
• Fourth day: 45 minutes. Athlete can progress to more complex training and add light resistance training.
• Fifth and sixth day: 60 minutes with normal training activities.
• Seventh day: A return to full activity/participation including entire practices, games or competition.

“COVID-19 affects each person differently,” Richie said. “Some athletes take more than three weeks to recover. Others with medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular issues or renal disease may need a longer recovery process before starting GRTP. It is important not to rush these kids back to competition if they haven’t completed the appropriate steps.”

Have questions? Speak with your primary care doctor:

Memorial Physician Services
DMH Medical Group

Related Articles

Your Questions about COVID-19 Vaccine Development Answered
How to Practice Self-Care during A Pandemic
Big Family Can Equal Longer Quarantine