On May 27, the journal JAMA Cardiology published "Prevalence of Clinical and Subclinical Myocarditis in Competitive Athletes With Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Results From the Big Ten COVID-19 Cardiac Registry," authored in part by Assistant Professor Ana Bento and doctoral student Joel Greenshields from Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington.

Using data from nearly 1,600 college athletes subject to cardiovascular screening after COVID-19 infection, the researchers examined EEG, echocardiogram, and other test results to determine the pervasiveness of myocarditis (which can cause sudden death in competitive athletes). The study suggests that because more than two percent of students in the study developed either clinical or subclinical myocarditis, the role of such screening for competitive athletes following a COVID-19 diagnosis should be further investigated.

"This is an important study in a top journal, and is especially relevant as it addresses safety and health among collegiate athletes," says Michael Hendryx, interim chair of the school's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. "We're proud of Joel and Ana's work, and look forward to their continued scientific contributions."

Athletes are especially at risk for SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) due to their proximity to other athletes in training and competitive environments. The authors assert that the data from this study provides "[A] more complete understanding of the prevalence of clinical and subclinical myocarditis in college athletes recovering from symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 infections. The Big Ten COVID-19 Cardiac Registry is committed to longitudinal study and elucidating the best role of [cardiac magnetic resonance] imaging in returning athletes to sport after COVID-19 infection."

"Prevalence of Clinical and Subclinical Myocarditis in Competitive Athletes With Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Results From the Big Ten COVID-19 Cardiac Registry" is free and available to the public at https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/fullarticle/2780548.