UAB Medicine News

The risk of acquiring COVID-19 through playing recreational sports depends on the type of activity. Lower risk activities include performing skill-building drills alone or with members of your household. The risk increases with team-based practice and competition to higher risk activities such as community or regional/national competitions.

The CDC recommends participating in outdoor recreational sports rather than indoor activities when possible. Anyone who is ill should stay home and not play sports. Smaller team sizes, avoiding physical contact when possible, spacing out visitors/spectators/volunteers as much as possible, wearing a mask when possible, minimizing sharing of equipment, and washing hands all may help reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.

Answered by Dr. Molly Fleece, MD.