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Virtual Sports and Fitness

Photo credit: Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/dumbbells-training-fitness-gym-2465478/

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the sports and fitness industry and severely impacted the staging of sporting events around the world.

Virtually every major sporting event – from football, baseball and rugby leagues to aquatics competitions, horseracing and indoor sports tournaments such as darts and snooker – has been cancelled or postponed. Even the Tokyo Olympic Games, which was slated to start on 24 July this year, has been postponed to 23 July 2021 instead, with the Paralympic Games similarly postponed to 24 August 2021.¹

In a bid to curb the spread of the virus among the community, sporting venues and facilities such as gyms, sports stadiums and swimming pools have been shuttered in many countries.²

Singapore has also closed all sports and recreation facilities from 7 April 2020 to comply with safe distancing measures implemented as a circuit breaker to minimise further spread of COVID-19.³ In response, Sport Singapore (SportSG), the national body promoting sports in Singapore, has encouraged people to continue exercising to stay healthy and boost their immunity.⁴

The pandemic has been a big blow to the global sports industry financially, in terms of lost revenues for the athletes, leagues, sports organisations, staff hired to work at sporting events, ticket sales and television contracts. In Singapore, the cancellation of sports competitions due to the pandemic, leading to the loss of event and sponsorship revenue (SGD $1.8 million in 2018) would potentially mean a 20 percent loss of its annual revenue for a national sports association such as The Swimming Association.⁵

With the COVID-19 pandemic upsetting fitness routines and social distancing becoming the new normal, many have turned to the Internet for help to get their endorphin fix. Fitness trainers, gyms and studios have deftly tapped into this need by providing a smorgasbord of pre-recorded or livestreamed online workout classes to suit varying fitness abilities and exercise preferences.⁶

Some countries have slowly begun to ease out of their nationwide-imposed lockdowns but in the new normal, sports competitions and matches will be played in empty sports venues. Players must undergo regular COVID-19 tests and safe distancing guidelines strictly adhered to for the foreseeable future. Professional football teams in Austria have already re-started training for the new football season and the German Bundesliga has sprung back into action after a 61-day hiatus. Over in South Korea, the professional baseball and pro soccer leagues have similarly been revived. Plans for sports such as basketball, rugby, cricket and ice hockey to resume in other countries are also being mapped out.⁷

To find out more about how people at home can keep active as well as how professional sports have adapted to the new normal, check out the resources listed below.

Videos and Podcasts

1. #GameOfTwoHalves Podcast: Covid-19 initiatives aiding S’pore sports, fitness, wellness professionals

#GameOfTwoHalves Podcast: Covid-19 initiatives aiding S’pore sports, fitness, wellness professionals. (2020, April 21). The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

2. Sports stars go online to connect with fans as tournaments cancelled due to Covid-19

Source: Sports stars go online to connect with fans as tournaments cancelled due to Covid-19. (2020, April 27). The Telegraph. Retrieved 2020, May 18.

3. Home workouts are surging amidst the coronavirus pandemic

Source: Home workouts are surging amidst the coronavirus pandemic. (2020, April 2). CNN Business. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

4. How the fitness industry is staying strong amidst COVID-19

Source: How the fitness industry is staying strong amidst COVID-19. (2020, April 17). Vulcan Post. Retrieved 2020, April 23.

Websites

1. Be active during COVID-19

Be active during COVID-19. (2020, March 27). World Health Organisation. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

2. Stay physically active during self-quarantine

Stay physically active during self-quarantine. (n.d.). World Health Organisation Europe. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

3. Unsure of what to do during the #CircuitBreaker?

Unsure of what to do during the #CircuitBreaker? (2020). Sport Singapore. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

4. Stay well to stay strong

Stay well to stay strong. (2020). HealthHub. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

5. COVID-19 and sporting activity

COVID-19 and sporting activity. (2020, April 13). Australian Sports Commission. Retrieved 2020, April 22 .

6. Cononavirus & youth sports

Cononavirus & youth sports. (2020). The Aspen Institute. Retrieved 2020, April 23.

Online articles

1. Exercise is essential for well-being during COVID-19 pandemic

Exercise is essential for well-being during COVID-19 pandemic. (2020, April 22). Norwalk Hospital. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

2. Influential fitness instructors are flexing new muscles as gyms shutter amid coronavirus

Bruner, R. (2020, March 20). Influential fitness instructors are flexing new muscles as gyms shutter amid coronavirus. Time. Retrieved 2020, April 21.

3. How the fitness industry is responding to coronavirus with digital push

Gilliland, N. (2020, March 31). How the fitness industry is responding to coronavirus with digital push. Econsultancy. Retrieved 2020, April 21.

4. The gym used to be my therapy. Here’s how that’s changed during social distancing

Abad-Santos, A. (2020, March 26). The gym used to be my therapy. Here’s how that’s changed during social distancing. Vox. Retrieved 2020, April 21.

5. Exercise, immunity and the COVID-19 pandemic

Simpson, R. J. (2020, March 30). Exercise, immunity and the COVID-19 pandemic. American College of Sports Medicine. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

6. This is how COVID-19 is affecting the world of sports

Hall, S. (2020, April 9). This is how COVID-19 is affecting the world of sports. World Economic Forum. Retrieved 2020, April 22.

Chinese, Malay and Tamil resources

1. 疫情之下，体育产业“线上”展现多样业态

林德韧、马锴。（2020年3月14日）。疫情之下，体育产业“线上”展现多样业态。新华网。Retrieved 2020, April 30.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in demand for online sports and fitness programmes and services as people are staying home. This presents new opportunities as business models change to meet this new demand.

2. 在家防疫也要乖乖运动！YouTube 10大居家健身视频推荐

吴淑慧。（2020年4月2日）。在家防疫也要乖乖运动！YouTube 10大居家健身视频推荐。8 视界。 Retrieved 2020, April 30.

This article lists and links to the 10 most popular YouTube videos suitable for exercising at home, according to a report by a British media.

3. Covid-19: Aktiviti senaman dalam rumah

Covid-19: Aktiviti senaman dalam rumah. (2020, March 21). Berita Harian Online. Retrieved 2020, April 27.

This article highlights some simple exercises that can be done at home to improve blood circulation and flexibility.

4. Covid-19: BMT di rumah bantu rekrut asah kemahiran ketenteraan, tingkat kecergasan fizikal

Covid-19: BMT di rumah bantu rekrut ash kemahiran ketenteraan, tingkat kecergasan fizikal. (2020, April 26). Berita Mediacorp. Retrieved 2020, April 27.

3,400 army recruits have had to adapt and continue to keep themselves fit as they continue to serve National Service from home. Several home-based learning systems were prepared for them to maintain their skills and fitness while at home.

5. COVID-19: வீட்டில் வேலை செய்து கொண்டே எப்படி வீட்டிலிருந்தவாறே தொடர்ந்து உடற்பயிற்சி மேற்கொள்ளலாம் என்று பலர் கூறிய தகவல்களில் தொகுப்பு.

COVID-19: வீட்டில் வேலை செய்து கொண்டே உடற்பயிற்சி செய்ய விரும்பும் மக்கள். (30 April 2020). Retrieved 2020, April 30.

This is a sharing session by students and working adults on exercise routines to keep fit.

Disclaimer/ Rights statement
The information in this resource guide is valid as at May 2020 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2020.

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References