A proposed self-guide to return to exercise in COVID-19 survivors: A public perspective

Abstract

To return to being physically active, COVID-19 survivors need a guide to safely return to exercise. The most common symptoms reported in COVID-19 survivors were fatigue and breathlessness. It is crucial to rule out severe complications post-acute COVID-19 such as myocarditis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary fibrosis and deep vein thrombosis before exercise. In this study, we proposed a self-guide assessment to safely return to exercise using post-COVID-19 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and discussed on COVID-19 survivor-graded exercise programme. The key points highlighted during graded exercise programme are (1) individualisation, (2) monitoring for red flag symptoms (chest pain, breathlessness at rest or minimal exertion, palpitation, chest tightness and severe calf pain), (3) step down 1 stage if feels extreme fatigue on exercise, (4) start slow and progress slow with the exercise and (5) if in doubt, to refer yourself out to health professionals. These steps will encourage COVID-19 survivors to continue being active. It will also ease the healthcare burden by reducing the number of referrals of pre-participation health evaluation for mild symptoms or asymptomatic COVID-19 survivor patients to return to exercise.