Youth Sports and COVID-19

Play informed sports and recreation through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Youth athletes, parents, coaches and health care professionals all play important roles in keeping sports as safe as possible during these times. 
 

 

Play Informed Sports and Recreation through the Pandemic:
Education Sessions for Parents, Guardians and Community Leaders

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) hosted a three-part educational event to help parents, guardians and community leaders make informed decisions about sports participation during the pandemic. Watch these important discussions featuring leading medical experts in pediatrics, sports medicine and athletic training on the state of safety in sport and COVID-19. 

 

Session One: Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Sports Participation during the Pandemic   

This informative educational session helps parents, guardians and community leaders understand the risks and benefits of playing sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the physical, mental and psychosocial effects in youth athletes. This session will help attendees make an informed decision about sports participation and better understand the risk factors in sport and COVID-19. This session’s panel features: Shelley Fiscus, MD, FAAP; Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, CSCS; and Margot Putukian, MD, FACSM, FAMSSM.

Click here to watch Session One

 

Session two: Safety Precautions for You and Your Team   

This informative educational session helps parents, guardians and community leaders understand the safety precautions that families and youth athletes should take prior to participation and before, during and after a practice or game. Attendees will also gain an learn about health and safety precautions that they should expect from their school or team, including use of face coverings and how to address concerns with school or team leaders. This session’s panel features: Susannah Briskin, MD; Darryl Conway, MA, ATC; and Mark Halstead, MD.

Click here to watch Session Two 

 

Session three: Navigating Sports during COVID-19 for Elite Athletes  

Youth athletes who are approaching graduation and advancing to more elite levels of play, such as collegiate athletics, face unique circumstances during the pandemic.  Provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and National Athletic Trainers’ Association, this informative educational session helps parents, guardians and community leaders understand the challenges and concerns related to schedule changes, detraining and the transition to college campuses. This session’s panel features: Stephanie Chu, DO; Murphy Grant, MS, ATC, PES; and Drew Watson, MD, MS.

Click here to watch Session Three

 

About the Moderator

The Play Informed Sports and Recreation through the Pandemic series was hosted by Rich Dubin, CEO of MVP Parent Magazine, a resource that educates and supports the parents of youth athletes. MVP Parent gives parents the information they need to keep youth athletes performing at the highest level physically, mentally and emotionally. To learn more and to view the most recent issue, visit MVPParent.com.

 

Along with the National Athletic Trainers' Association, this information was developed jointly by:​

American Academy of Pediatrics Logo   American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Logo