AUTHOR=Niess Andreas Michael , Widmann Manuel , Gaidai Roman , Gölz Christian , Schubert Isabel , Castillo Katty , Sachs Jan Philipp , Bizjak Daniel , Vollrath Shirin , Wimbauer Fritz , Vogel Azin , Keller Karsten , Burgstahler Christof , Quermann Anne , Kerling Arno , Schneider Gerald , Zacher Jonas , Diebold Katharina , Grummt Maximilian , Beckendorf Claudia , Buitenhuis Johannes , Egger Florian , Venhorst Andreas , Morath Oliver , Barsch Friedrich , Mellwig Klaus-Peter , Oesterschlink Julian , Wüstenfeld Jan , Predel Hans-Georg , Deibert Peter , Friedmann-Bette Birgit , Mayer Frank , Hirschmüller Anja , Halle Martin , Steinacker Jürgen Michael , Wolfarth Bernd , Meyer Tim , Böttinger Erwin , Flechtner-Mors Marion , Bloch Wilhelm , Haller Bernhard , Roecker Kai , Reinsberger Claus 

TITLE=COVID-19 in German Competitive Sports: Protocol for a Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study (CoSmo-S)

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 67 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604414

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604414

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objective: It is unclear whether and to what extent COVID-19 infection poses health risks and a chronic impairment of performance in athletes. Identification of individual health risk is an important decision-making basis for managing the pandemic risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in sports and return to play (RTP). 
Methods: This study aims 1) to analyze the longitudinal rate of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in German athletes, 2) to assess health-related consequences in athletes infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 3) to reveal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in general and of a cleared SARS-CoV-2 infection on exercise performance. CoSmo-S is a prospective observational multicenter study establishing two cohorts: 1) athletes diagnosed positive for COVID-19 (cohort 1) and 2) federal squad athletes who perform their annual sports medical preparticipation screening (cohort 2). 
Methods: Comprehensive diagnostics including physical examination, laboratory blood analyses and blood biobanking, resting and exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, spirometry and exercise testing added by questionnaires are conducted at baseline and follow-up. 
Results &Conclusion: We expect that the results obtained, will allow us to formulate recommendations regarding RTP on a more evidence-based level.