To: Superintendents, Principals, Athletic Directors, Athletic Trainers, School Nurses
Subject: Significant Changes to the MSHSAA Covid19 Return To Play (RTP) Form
Date: March 2, 2022
At this time, March 2, 2022, the MSHSAA Covid19 RTP form has been updated and changed. As a reminder, the use of this Covid-19 RTP Form and RTP Procedures is “MANDATORY” for a student athlete that “tests positive” or “shows symptoms” for Covid19 AND participates in any sport or activity that requires a pre-participation physical exam.
The “NEW” MSHSAA Covid19 Return To Play form can be accessed in the line below and is now posted at www.mshsaa.org on the Sports Medicine page under the category “Covid19 Resources”. Below is summary of the changes/updates that have been made to the RTP form and RTP stages/progression and is effective immediately.
EXPLANATION OF CHANGES TO THE MSHSAA COVID-19 RETURN TO PLAY FORM/PROTOCOL
As of March 2, 2022, MSHSAA is no longer requiring student athletes to have a formal medical screening prior to returning to sports participation following COVID infection. The original intent of the screening by a medical professional (MD/DO/PAC/ARNP/ATC) was to assess for the possible complication of myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, that can lead to exercise intolerance and the ability of the heart to function normally. Early in the pandemic, there was concern for higher rates of myocarditis in the general population after COVID-19 infection than what the medical community thought happens with other viruses, which led to the screening process MSHSAA has required. As we have moved through 2 years of the pandemic, it seems that the risk of myocarditis is less than first estimated.
Because of this, the MSHSAA Covid-19 Task Force has recommended to remove the required screening by a medical professional prior to return to play. This also coincides with updates from leading national sports medicine organizations and the National Federation of State High School Associations.
However, there will still be a Covid-19 RTP Form that must be completed the student athlete, parent/guardian and school personnel for any student athlete that tests positive or is symptomatic for Covid-19. Furthermore, a 5 day/step RTP progression also remains in place for those student athletes who test positive or are symptomatic for Covid-19.
- The top portion of the RTP Form is to be completed by the student athlete and parent/guardian.
- Student Athletes may start resuming activity as of day 6 following their onset of symptoms OR date of their positive test without symptoms.
- Athletes may NOT resume competition until day 10 from the onset of symptoms OR date of their positive test if without symptoms.
- The bottom portion of the RTP Form which accounts for the completion of the days/steps of the RTP Progression is to be completed by a head coach, athletic director, athletic trainer or school nurse.
- Student athletes and school personnel must sign the form attesting to the validity of the dates entered on the form and that they have also completed physical exercise WITHOUT any of the problems listed on the form.
- If an athlete does experience any of the issues on the form before starting or while resuming exercises, they should be referred to their primary care health care professional for further clearance.
Respectfully,
Kerwin Urhahn, MSHSAA Executive Director
Greg Stahl, MSHSAA Assistant Executive Director - Sports Medicine
