Part 2: Guidelines on Return to Exercise After COVID-19

The following is my summary of the guidelines on how to approach a return to exercise after COVID-19 infection. This information should not replace appropriate medical advice.
I will begin with my key, take-away, messages from having read through the material and will then present some material in further detail.
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Key Messages:

• Be kind to yourself in the early stages following COVID-19 diagnosis. Even if you have very minor to no symptoms, the recommendations are to prioritise rest and recovery and not to exercise during this period. Focus on nutrition, hydration and rest.
  
  
• In some circumstances it is strongly encouraged to seek medical advice prior to returning to exercise. The most notable of these are: any cardiac (heart) symptoms, moderate-severe symptoms in initial infection phase and onset of particular symptoms during activity.
  
  
• Monitor your mental health. Both the initial illness period and the recovery process can be difficult to deal with at times and if you notice yourself struggling then seek out assistance.
  
  

In the vast majority of circumstances the full return to activity should be managed slowly and may well take weeks to months to properly recover. This will require patience.

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