Research suggests new risk for athletes

A research produced by Italian immunologists and lung specialists suggests that elite athletes are likely to inhale virus particles and direct them to lower areas of the lung due to strenuous exercise.

Research from Germany and Italy suggests that footballers and other athletes face a particular risk of the coronavirus infecting their lungs, raising major questions over attempts to restart professional football

The research, produced by Italian immunologists and lung specialists based at institutes in Berlin, Rome and Verona, suggests that due to strenuous exercise, elite athletes are more likely to inhale virus particles and direct them to the lower areas of the lung.

The preprint paper, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, also suggests that athletes who are asymptomatic could make their condition worse by infecting their lungs during strenuous exertion.

Football has ground to a halt in all major leagues in Europe and none have yet to resume.

European soccer's governing body UEFA has set a May 25 deadline for leagues to outline their plans to re-start.