Abstract

MCKENNA, J; BACKHOUSE, S H; PHILLIPS, G  and  JONES, B. Changing player behaviour in sport during the COVID-19 pandemic: Shake on it?. SA J. Sports Med. [online]. 2020, vol.32, n.1, pp.1-2. ISSN 2078-516X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2078-516x/2020/v32i1a8967.

To prevent the spread of infection during matches and training activities is a major challenge facing all sports returning from the enforced COVID-19 shutdown. During training and matches, rugby league players make contact with others which can result in SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission. While these interactions characterise the appeal of the game, a number of them can be avoided, including shaking hands and conversing after the match. This paper presents a framework underpinned by behavioural science (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour model, COM-B) to support stakeholders in helping players adopt new social distance norms and behaviours. This framework helps to ensure the players have the capability, opportunity, and motivation to adopt new COVID-19 risk minimising behaviours, which they will need to commit to 100%.

Keywords : rugby; virus illness.

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