How to return to the sport after recovering from COVID-19 and whether it is possible to practice in case of illness.
We certainly know more now than we did some time ago, but much is still unknown about the long-term effects of COVID-19. We know that the virus can cause damage to the heart, brain, lungs and kidneys, but it is impossible to accurately determine or predict what exactly will suffer in a sick person. Some people may also experience lingering symptoms, including shortness of breath, muscle aches, loss of stamina, and exhaustion - all of which are bad news, but this is especially true for athletes and active people.
Anyone, including young athletes, can be seriously injured or suffer long-term damage, which is why it is so important to take this seriously.
This is especially true for active people, as it can be difficult to predict what the long-term effects will be even for the person who leads the healthiest lifestyle. Some people may be fine, and they will be able to return to their old training rhythm, while others will find that their athletic results are not at all what they were before.
For most athletes and active people, returning to activity will be a slow process and will require patience. You should consult your doctor to make sure you are progressing properly and monitor your symptoms.
Restrictions on classes in isolation and quarantine
If you don't know if you have contracted COVID-19
If you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, you need to be quarantined. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease to check if they are ill. Athletes and active people can also train in quarantine as long as they are able to comply with the restrictions (so no, going to the gym or exercising is prohibited! Instead, do your workouts at home). If the quarantined athlete feels unwell, he should immediately stop training.
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you will be placed in isolation. Isolation separates the sick from people who are not sick. People in isolation should not leave their homes for any reason other than an emergency. It is recommended to isolate the sick member in one room and all other family members wear masks to reduce the possibility of infection. Athletes in isolation should refrain from performing any exercise until they are released from isolation and eventually receive permission from a doctor to resume activity.
The timing of returning to sports or physical exercise
While an athlete or an active person is sick with COVID-19, they should not engage in any physical activity and should focus on rest, a good drinking regime, proper nutrition and following the advice of their medical professionals. The period of return to sports or physical exercises is determined by the severity of the disease.
All athletes and people who play sports with a positive test result for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms, should rest for at least 10 days. There should be no physical activity or training during these 10 days. If the athlete has a positive test result, but he has no symptoms, the isolation period begins from the date of the positive test result. If there are symptoms, this period begins from the date of onset of symptoms.
If the athlete has a mild illness or if the test results are positive, but he has no symptoms, he may consider returning to physical activity after a 10-day period of isolation. At the end of this time, the athlete may consider a gradual return to physical activity, but he should not have symptoms.
If an athlete has had a moderate or severe illness (or if he has been hospitalized), he should be examined by a doctor before resuming any type of exercise. These people may need to undergo additional tests, including an ECG, heart imaging, or a blood test, before they return to activity.
Myocarditis in athletes and active people
Myocarditis is an inflammatory reaction of the heart due to a viral infection such as COVID-19. This can cause swelling of the heart muscle, which makes it difficult to exercise intensively, and sometimes even leads to death.
Myocarditis is more common in people who have had a moderate or severe case of infection with the virus, but it can happen to anyone infected.
Given this increased potential risk of myocarditis, athletes returning from COVID-19 infection should be examined by a doctor who will determine if any additional tests are necessary. Due to the risk of myocarditis, athletes and everyone involved in sports should gradually return to physical activity during the week to monitor the signs and symptoms of this serious complication.
Gradual return to sports of amateur athletes and active adults
Amateur athletes (and any active adult) should complete a gradual, controlled return to athletic progress when they return to training. This process is often referred to as "getting back to the game."
Athletes should start gradually and slowly enough. If possible, it is recommended that their progress be monitored and guided by a sports coach. If a sports coach is unavailable, consider having a coach or parent monitor this progress to ensure safety. For active adults, be sure to monitor your symptoms or ask a friend or family member to monitor you.
If an athlete experiences any of the following alarming symptoms during an attempt to return to the sport, he must immediately stop training:
* Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
* Nausea
* Headache
* High heart rate, not proportional to the level of load, or prolonged recovery of heart rate
* Feeling dizzy
* Shortness of breath, shortness of breath, or abnormal rapid breathing
* Excessive fatigue
* Swelling of the extremities
* Fainting
* Tunnel vision or vision loss
If the symptoms disappear, the athlete should rest for 24 hours and return to the previous workout. If any symptoms persist for more than 24-48 hours or do not disappear after stopping exercise, contact your doctor for recommendations regarding additional evaluation and testing.
Return to Fitness
Returning to sports and exercise after recovering from COVID-19 can be a slow (and frustrating) process.
Recommendations
1. Listen to your body
If you experience symptoms such as chest pain or palpitations, stop exercising immediately and consult your doctor. Exercise and movement are important for overall health, but in the case of COVID-19, things can change in the blink of an eye as we learn more about the virus. Continue to monitor yourself, and if you feel that something is bothering you more than just a loss of form, stop training and talk to your doctor (the symptoms that you should pay attention to are listed above).
2. Don't take it to heart
Do not try to "break through" as before. Athletes of all ages should gradually progress in order to return to sports. You will need to increase the time and reduce the intensity of training. Start with a slow walk and, if you think this is normal for you, try a quick walk the next day. Then increase the amount of time you walk. Gradually gain weight for 1-2 weeks before returning to HIIT training or crossfit, which you did before COVID-19.
3. Be patient
Even if you were preparing for a marathon before the infection, you will probably find that your body has changed a little, which requires extreme caution. Don't put too much pressure on a body that is still trying to recover.
