Covid-19: sports halls would promote the spread of the virus

Is it risky to go to the gym in times of Covid? The answer is yes, according to a new study published in the scientific journal PNAS. While opinions differ on the rate of transmission in sports halls, this new research confirms that playing sports with others in an enclosed and poorly ventilated place promotes the spread of the virus.

132 times more aerosols during high intensity exercise

According to the German scientists, study participants emitted about 132 times more aerosols per minute during high-intensity exercise than when resting. Which they say increases the risk of someone becoming infected with Covid-19 by triggering a superspreader event.

At rest, they emitted an average of 580 particles per minute, but during peak exercise, during which the researchers gradually increased the intensity until the subjects were exhausted, they got a result of 76,200 particles per minute.

A study that has some limitations, however.

In order to achieve these results, the researchers had each of the subjects ride a bicycle, having them breathe clean air through a silicone face mask and then exhale into a plastic bag. They were thus able to observe that some of the participants emitted much more aerosols during high-intensity exercises than others. In particular, people who are fitter and have more experience in sports. The latter emitted 85% more aerosols than the others.

However, the study authors say that the results of this research have limitations. First of all, it is based on a sample of only 16 people. Additionally, none of the subjects were infected with COVID-19. The researchers note that there was no way to do this safely with infected people due to the health risk it could pose to participants.

It’s up to you to assess the risk you want to take

Finally, they conclude the study by emphasizing that it is everyone’s responsibility to go to the gym or not. If you are at risk, it is up to you to assess the risks and benefits of playing sports indoors. If in doubt about compliance with measures to fight the spread of the virus, find out from your gym about the measures put in place (hygiene, spaces between machines, vaccination of members, etc.).