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Athletic facilities, locker rooms, gyms, and health clubs are all susceptible to be contaminated with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The bacteria can be transmitted from surfaces found on different equipment or by skin to skin contact. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is found to be spread easily in various athletic facilities (CDC, 2019). S. aureus is a common bacterium found in on the skin, in the nose and throat of individuals but can present as risks for infection and death. A study done that hypothesized that fitness facilities were responsible for contamination with S.
aureus and evaluated the antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria transmitted (Dalman et al., 2019).
Dalman et al. explored the prevalence of S. aureus on the surfaces at fitness facilities. Evaluating the presence of colonizing bacteria, specifically S. aureus, on multiple surfaces throughout various fitness facility types and their susceptibility to antibiotics. The study gathered environmental swabs from several fitness facilities (n=16); cross-fit (n=4), traditional iron gyms (n=4), community center facilities (n=5), and hospital associated facilities (n=3). 18 different samples were taken in every facility and placed in a peptone broth and incubated at 37oC for 24 hours and streaked onto a Baird Parker Agar with selective MRSA agar plates for 48 hours at 37oC.
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Potential S. aureus and MRSA colonies were plated on a 5% sheep's blood agar for 24 hours at 37oC. Results were confirmed through various biochemical assays that included catalase, coagulase, S. aureus latex agglutinations.
The overall prevalence of S. aureus in fitness facilities showed 38% including the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA.
Examining the various facility types; traditional fitness facilities observed 38%, crossfit facilities observed 38%, and hospital associated facilities observed 33% respectively. Contaminated surfaces did not show much variation through the different facility types, however, the most prevalent exercise equipment showed that the weight ball and cable curl handles had 62.5%, while the weight plates, treadmill handle and water fountain observed 56.3%, 50% and 50% respectively. Putting the results in perspective, the contaminated surfaces observed were greater than the surfaces of bathroom and door handles (Dalman et al., 2019).
Fitness and exercise facilities have been shown to be sources of community acquired bacterial infections. Staphylococcus infections once known as nosocomial infections now distinguished to community acquired infections to those who are infected outside of hospital or inpatient settings; as fitness facilities, spas, etc. Most of the bacteria observed from skin-contact surfaces in fitness facilities were found to be of human and environmental origin. Such bacteria include Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Salmonella and Micrococcus. However, Staphylococcus bacteria were more prevalent of the pathogens found.
Fitness centers compared to other indoor environments are more susceptible to microbial contamination (Mukherjee, 2014). In the study done by Mukherjee et al., similar results were observed to Dalman's study. Presence of bacteria found in the fitness facilities belonged to human flora, dust, air and soil. In our environment most of the population spend most of their time indoors where bacteria can colonize certain environments depending on temperature, ventilation, and cleanliness of the environment. Surfaces that come into contact with human skin observed the colonization of bacteria; cardio equipment, floor mats, barbells, dumbbells, etc. The areas that are not in contact with human skin have a stable microbial community (Wood, 2015). Fitness facilities are likely to have wide microbial contamination with any equipment or surface that encounters human contact.
These results signify the importance of cleanliness in gymnasiums, locker rooms or any fitness facility. Wide populations are observed in fitness type facilities from children aged to elder populations. Microflora found in these facilities include; Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Salmonella, influenza, Rhinoviruses and Dermatophytosis. Free weights observed approximately 350 times the contamination than the average toilet seat, treadmill approximately 74 times a public restroom and exercise bikes approximately 39 times than a tray from a food court (Alphaclean, 2019). Hygiene regulations are not enforced up to certain standards, therefore, importance of awareness of contamination in fitness facilities should be made.
The study done by Dalman et al. should signify the importance of gym cleanliness and prevention of microbial contamination. With the fitness industry expanding into new avenues of fitness centers, spas, sport leagues, etc. It is vital to improve gym hygiene and awareness. Whether coordinating with fitness facilities to offer towel service, increase the housekeeping budget to limit microbial contamination or to educate individuals to cover open wounds, stay home if ill, etc. I chose this review with the curiosity of fitness facility cleanliness. Dalman et al. study proved to show contamination and with the variety of populations that go through fitness facilities it is important that not only staff or housekeeping maintain the cleanliness of the facility but the individuals who are exercising or using fitness equipment to disinfect prior and afterwards for prevention of contamination.
Personally, playing basketball I had a cut on my arm and developed a bacterial infection that I had not noticed and later spotted by a physician assistant who suggested to treat with antibiotics, Keflex specifically, which resolved the infection. I had not noticed a change in my wellbeing although there was a noticeable rash on the antecubital region of my arm it was not something that was alarming to myself. However, that might be one instance and other contamination could have been more severe in presentation. Similarly, nosocomial infections, community acquired infections should be prevented through a collective measure. Whether it becomes a regulation a facility must go by or increase the routine checks for microbial contamination. Prevention should prioritize treatments of microbial contamination.
Staphylococcus Aureus Found in Fitness Facilities. (2019, Dec 07). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/staphylococcus-aureus-found-in-fitness-facilitiesronny-warehwest-example-essay
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