CONSIDERATIONS OF COVID-19 RISK EXPOSURE WHILE WEARING A GLOVE ON THE NON-PLAYING HAND AMONG RACQUET SPORTS PLAYERS

Eric B. Miller, Akil Pillai

Abstract

The utility of wearing a glove on the non-playing hand in racquet sports for reduced risk of viral exposure, may be considered within the context of re-opening competition during a global pandemic. We hypothesize that the visual image of the glove transmits a strong message of the importance of maintaining vigilance to the other players in the group, while the visceral sensation of wearing the glove serves to reduce the duration and frequency of face touches for the glove wearer. In a pilot study video analysis of badminton players, the group that contained a single glove-wearing player exhibited significantly reduced duration of face touches (p = 0.046) while the glove-wearing player exhibited reduced frequency and duration of face touches that may contribute to the spread of the coronavirus. This pilot study may help inform players and coaches as they plan for competition within the context of a global pandemic.

Pages: 33 - 36