SAI puts out SOP for recovered athletes
CHENNAI: Resumption of sports during a pandemic has its risks too. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has already begun conducting national camps at their premises in NIS Patiala, Bengaluru, New Delhi and Sonepat. It has its sights on more camps in October too. With more and more athletes joining, there are possibilities of more athletes testing positive for the coronavirus.
Take the case of the men's hockey team. Six players tested positive, including Surender Kumar who had more than a mild infection. There have been cases in wrestling camps too. As reported by this newspaper on September 11, SAI has formulated Standard Operating Procedure for rehabilitating athletes testing positive.
"Under the new guidelines, termed 'Graduated Return to Play' (GRTP), all SAI officials and centres have been asked to monitor the progression of athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 virus," said a SAI statement.
"The athletes will be divided in three categories. Category One -- COVID-19 Positive & asymptomatic (mild localized symptoms that resolve within 10 days Category 2: Positive & Prolonged Course (Regional/systemic symptoms for more than 10 days) or severe symptoms that required hospitalisation Category 3: Positive & Symptoms during GRTP progression* (Post recovery complications)."
As reported, the cases will be divided into asymptomatic and symptomatic (mild, moderate and severe). It also speaks about coaches' responsibility while chalking out plans for recovering athletes.
Though finer details are not listed, Ashok Ahuja, former head of sports medicine at NIS Patiala, felt this is an integral part of training now. "This plan is a necessity in these times," he said. "It must be a comprehensive plan but I believe mental health is another aspect we need to look at. Psychological counselling is a must because studies show spending time in isolation and quarantine do affect athletes mentally. Coaches, physios and doctors must ensure they take care of that too."
According to Ahuja, a broad outline may have been designed but strict monitoring will be crucial. "The athletes should be monitored while exercising — heart rate variability to blood pressure," he said.
"Increasing load too needs to be gradual and I think this must be taken care of. I believe six to eight weeks of monitoring must be done to recovering athletes (more with symptomatic but even asymptomatic also). Those monitoring should look out for fatigue and muscle pain — some common symptoms during recovery. We cannot afford to risk any of our Olympic hopefuls."
One issue the SAI must address is lack of doctors and physios in most of its centres. The SAI, however, has said its emphasis right now is to appoint and form medical teams at the earliest.
Ahuja feels diet should be another part that needs to be considered during recovery and emphasis should be on giving them immunity boosters like vitamins and minerals.
Athletics, weightlifting and boxing are in Patiala, athletics and hockey in Bengaluru, while Sonepat is conducting wrestling camp for the men. Cycling is in Delhi.