SPORTS AND EXERCISE MEDICINE IN THE COVID-19 ERA -LET’S MAKE IT A GOOD MARATHON RUN

Abstract

The aim of this short narrative review is to investigate the role of sports and exercise medicine (SEM) in managing the current and future pandemics. The coronavirus outbreak caught the whole world by surprise and very quickly imposed the long run ahead of us, changing every aspect of modern living. Being primarily a health crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic placed the biggest strain on the medical community and science. Our understanding of the new circumstances is constantly being updated with new scientific data and medical and other professions directly dealing with the pandemic has to provide the best available (evidence-based) approach. SEM expertise has a huge impact on population’s general health and its role in dealing with COVID-19 and future pandemics has to be recognised in several aspects. The multidisciplinary, prevention-orientated, and structured approach of SEM can be crucial for health-oriented community changes.