Lessons Learned from Covid-19: An Athletic Trainer’s Perspective

By Marty Travis, MS, ATC, SCAT
Athletic Trainer
MUSC Health Sports Medicine

The past 16 months have been very trying to all of us. The many restrictions and requirements were very frustrating but necessary for us to return to sports. There is now a light at the end of the tunnel. It is getting brighter every day mostly because of the Covid-19 vaccinations. A positive outcome the Covid-19 crisis was a significant decrease of other infectious conditions we see in the athletic population especially during the winter months. I have talked with many of my fellow athletic trainers. All agreed that cases of influenza, mononucleosis and the common cold greatly decreased. Not one case of either the Flu or Mono was reported to me since the return to play last summer. Also there were very few athletes being screened with cold-like symptoms prior to practices/games. I believe the many policies and regulations enforced during this time are responsible. The policies that can be carried over to post-Covid 19 times can be:

1. If you are sick stay at home policy- This encouraged any athlete who had any signs or symptoms of any infectious condition to stay away from school and the teams.
2. Increase emphasis of hand hygiene-Hand hygiene was encouraged 24/7. Hand sanitizer was available to all at every practice and game venue.
3. Daily screening of all athletes- This allowed for athletic trainers and coaches to identify any athletes with common infectious signs and symptoms and then immediately isolating them and sending them home.
4. Discontinuation of shared team water bottles and water troughs (“Water Boy” and other water dispensers)- Each athlete had a designated bottle or disposable paper cups were available. No sharing what so ever was allowed. This may be difficult to continue for the larger teams (football, lacrosse, etc.) which do not have large support staffs such as student managers. This may be even more difficult for teams in the South where hydration and heat illness are major issues.
5. Discontinuation of using common team towels- Each athlete had a designated towel and no sharing what so ever was allowed.
6. Limited locker room use- The number of athletes allowed in locker rooms was limited due to locker room size. Some small locker rooms were completely locked. Athletes were also restricted to time in the locker rooms to prevent socialization in close spaces.

By implementing some of the policies learned from the Covid-19 crisis we can keep all infectious conditions to a minimal. It will be extra work but I think it will be worth it.