A new study from Colorado found that gym attendance was not linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in the state.
The news comes that lockdown restrictions implemented by state and local officials across the country have meant that gym administrators had to shut down for weeks and months to stop the spread of the virus.
The study was commissioned by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, after it said in October that the data showed that only 1,155 cases of COVID-19 resulted from more than 49 million check-ins at the gym, or 0.0023%, the Denver Post reported. The organization then asked the Oregon Consulting Group, located at the University of Oregon, to conduct an independent investigation to confirm or disprove their findings.
The results were clear
The group analyzed gym attendance data against Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment outbreak statistics over a period of 32 from March 13 to October 15.
What they found was quite remarkable: Of the nearly 8.5 million check-ins at the health club, it couldn’t be related to the 59 outbreaks reported by the CDPHE. Outbreaks are events where two or more people report that they have contracted the virus.
“Based on Colorado data as a proxy, there is no association between health club visits and COVID-19 cases,” the study concluded, adding, “when compared to other public spaces such as restaurants and bars, health and fitness facilities and lower risk environments. “
The group noted that it is possible that safety protocols and hygiene practices employed by gyms may be a contributing factor in the results.
What else?
Based on the data, the advisory group recommends that state and local leaders review the data before blocking access to health clubs within their jurisdiction.
“If we look at Colorado’s record of self-reported outbreaks… gyms haven’t made the list yet, but bars and restaurants certainly have,” said OCG President Callum Kuo.
“We have to be reasonable and critical when it comes to evaluating relative risks. And based on what we’re seeing in Colorado, gyms don’t belong in the same risk category as bars and restaurants,” he explains. “We believe states should better examine their data before hastily closing gyms and instead make decisions based on what they see in their respective states.”
It is to the credit of the CDPHE that the most recent mandatory closures safeguard health and fitness centers.
“We’ve talked to stakeholders, and we don’t think this is one of the higher risk settings because people wear masks in the gym. Gyms provide social distance and also clean their equipment. So we’re comfortable doing it. to stand, ”said department director Jill Ryan.