Author - Kirsten West, MS, ATC
It is no secret that exercise plays a vital role in mental health, physical fitness, and cognitive development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests 30 minutes of physical activity for adults and 60 minutes for children. It is important to be mindful of how we can be both physically active and also minimize the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19 to others. While the CDC is still currently recommending no organized sports there are many ways that you can stay physically active and follow CDC social distancing guidelines.
Current CDC Recommendations to Limit the Spread of COVID19:
- Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces and exercise equipment
- Thoroughly wash your hands (at least 20 seconds) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol)
- Wear a cloth face mask that covers your nose and mouth in public
- Practice physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from non-household members (Research is ongoing on appropriate physical distancing for bodies in motion)
- Cover both mouth and nose during any coughs or sneezes with a tissue
- Stay home if you are sick
During this time it is also important to keep up with information from your local health department regarding local shelter-in-place and face-covering ordinances.
Please utilize the following to help guide your return to play:
Lowest Risk: individual training at home alone or with household members using your own equipment
Medium Risk: individual training in a public space alone or with household members using your own equipment or individual training in public with non-shared household members while practicing physical distancing
High Risk: group training with non-household members not practicing physically distancing in a private or public setting; any use of shared equipment
Kentucky Specific Healthy at Work Guidelines for Youth Sports and Athletic Activities are linked here: Guidance for Youth Sports and Athletic Activities
