Analysis of a Division I Sports Medicine Program's COVID-19 Protocol: Identifying Factors that Predict Testing Demands and Positive Rates During a Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To determine factors indicating testing frequency and positive test results in a Division I sports department intrapandemic.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: A single Division I collegiate sports department.

Patients: All student-athlete (n = 437), student staff (n = 89), and adult staff (n = 202) members of the sports department. Total cohort (n = 728).

Interventions: The authors analyzed the independent variables of local positive rates, sport characteristics, and campus events for impact on the volume of the departmental testing and positive rates.

Main outcome measures: Measured dependent variables of the volume of departmental testing and positive rates were analyzed.

Results: Positive predictive rates (PPRs) largely differed from local, off-campus rates in timing and duration (59.52%: P < 0.05). Overall, 20633 tests were administered with 201 positive results (0.97% PPR). Student-athlete numbers were highest in all categories, followed by adult then student staff. Greater proportions of contact sports became positive (53.03%: P < 0.001) and all-male sports (47.69%: P < 0.001). No comparative difference was seen for teams using fomites (19.15%: P = 0.403). Spring sports teams had the lowest percentage of the team positive (22.22%: P < 0.001). Winter sports had the highest PPR (1.15%), all occurring during team-controlled activities. Playing sports indoors did not increase inside team-controlled activity positive rates ( P = 0.066).

Conclusions: Longitudinal changes in local, off-campus infection rates partially affected sports departmental positive results while testing rates were more influenced by sport and university schedule. Testing resources should be directed toward high-risk sports, which included contact sports (football, basketball, and soccer), all-male teams, both Winter and indoor sports inside team-controlled activities, and sports with long periods of time outside team-controlled activities.