Return to Sports – Interim Guidance AAP
This information is intended for Pediatricians.
Approximately 35 to 45 million youth 6 to 18 years of age participate in some form of athletics. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected many aspects of the lives of children and families, including youth sport activity. As children present for health supervision visits and pre-participation physical evaluations, parents and athletes likely will ask questions about how best to ensure safety when considering a return to sports participation. This guidance is intended for pediatricians to inform families on how to mitigate risk and prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, to others both within sports and within families and the community. Pediatricians should also refer to their state regulations and guidance associated with return to sports as states are allowing practice and competition to resume at different stages.
AAP Resources
- Preparticipation Physical Evaluation, 5th Edition Monograph
- Organized Sports for Children, Preadolescents, and Adolescents
- Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, and Burnout in Child and Adolescent Athletes
- Physical Activity Assessment and Counseling in Pediatric Clinical Settings
- COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry
- COVID-19 and Safe Transportation in Motor Vehicles
- COVID-19 Testing Guidance
- Cloth Face Coverings
Information for Families from HealthyChildren.org
- Cloth Face Coverings During Sports
- Mask Mythbusters: 5 Common Misconceptions about Kids & Cloth Face Coverings
- Youth Sports & COVID-19: Understanding the Risks
- Youth Sports Participation During COVID-19: A Safety Checklist
Additional Information
- Interim Guidance on the Pre-participation Physical Exam for Athletes during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Consideration for Youth Sports
- World Health Organization: COVID-19 and Staying Active
- American College of Cardiology: Returning To Play After Coronavirus Infection: Pediatric Cardiologists’ Perspective.