COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some people who have COVID-19 experience long-term symptoms, even after they have recovered from the acute illness. These symptoms are collectively known as "long COVID" or "post-COVID syndrome."
The implications of long COVID can be significant for some people. They may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, brain fog, and other symptoms that can make it difficult to work, exercise, or participate in other activities. Long COVID can also lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
Physical activity can play a role in the recovery from long COVID. It can help to improve fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
This web resource provides information on the latest research on long COVID and physical activity. It also includes resources for people with long COVID and their families, as well as for academics and exercise professionals who work with this population.
Potential Discussion Questions
What are the implications of someone having long COVID?
What are the short-term and long-term benefits of physical activity for people with long COVID?
How can physical activity be tailored to the individual needs of people with long COVID?
What are the risks of too much or too little physical activity for people with long COVID?
What are the best ways to monitor and track the progress of people with long COVID who are participating in physical activity programs?
What are the ethical considerations of conducting research on physical activity and long COVID?
Reading List
Altuna, M., Mª B. Sánchez-Saudinós, and A. Lleó. "Cognitive symptoms after COVID-19." Neurology perspectives 1 (2021): S16-S24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurop.2021.10.005
Asadi‐Pooya, A. A., Akbari, A., Emami, A., Lotfi, M., Rostamihosseinkhani, M., Nemati, H., ... & Shahisavandi, M. (2022). Long COVID syndrome‐associated brain fog. Journal of medical virology, 94(3), 979-984. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.27404
Chastin, S. F., Abaraogu, U., Bourgois, J. G., Dall, P. M., Darnborough, J., Duncan, E., ... & Hamer, M. (2021). Effects of regular physical activity on the immune system, vaccination and risk of community-acquired infectious disease in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 51, 1673-1686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01466-1 [Google Scholar Cited By]
Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Beltrán-Velasco, A. I., Ramos-Campo, D. J., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Nikolaidis, P. A., Belando, N., & Tornero-Aguilera, J. F. (2022). Physical activity and COVID-19. The basis for an efficient intervention in times of COVID-19 pandemic. Physiology & behavior, 244, 113667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113667
Davis, H. E., McCorkell, L., Vogel, J. M., & Topol, E. J. (2023). Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-022-00846-2
Durstenfeld, M. S., Sun, K., Tahir, P., Peluso, M. J., Deeks, S. G., Aras, M. A., ... & Hsue, P. Y. (2022). Use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing to evaluate long COVID-19 symptoms in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA network open, 5(10), e2236057-e2236057. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36057
Galluzzo, V., Zazzara, M. B., Ciciarello, F., Tosato, M., Martone, A. M., Pais, C., ... & Gemelli Against COVID-19 Post-Acute Care Team. (2023). Inadequate Physical Activity Is Associated with Worse Physical Function in a Sample of COVID-19 Survivors with Post-Acute Symptoms. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(7), 2517. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12072517
Jimeno-Almazán, A., Pallarés, J. G., Buendía-Romero, Á., Martínez-Cava, A., Franco-López, F., Sánchez-Alcaraz Martínez, B. J., ... & Courel-Ibáñez, J. (2021). Post-COVID-19 syndrome and the potential benefits of exercise. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(10), 5329. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105329
Humphreys, H., Kilby, L., Kudiersky, N., & Copeland, R. (2021). Long COVID and the role of physical activity: a qualitative study. BMJ open, 11(3), e047632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047632
O’Hare, A. M., Vig, E. K., Iwashyna, T. J., Fox, A., Taylor, J. S., Viglianti, E. M., ... & Ioannou, G. N. (2022). Complexity and Challenges of the Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Long COVID. JAMA network open, 5(11), e2240332-e2240332. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.40332
Salari, N., Khodayari, Y., Hosseinian-Far, A., Zarei, H., Rasoulpoor, S., Akbari, H., & Mohammadi, M. (2022). Global prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome among long COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BioPsychoSocial medicine, 16(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-022-00250-5
Sallis, J. F., Adlakha, D., Oyeyemi, A., & Salvo, D. (2023). Public health research on physical activity and COVID-19: Progress and updated priorities. Journal of Sport and Health Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2023.04.002
Scurati, R., Papini, N., Giussani, P., Alberti, G., & Tringali, C. (2022). The Challenge of Long COVID-19 Management: From Disease Molecular Hallmarks to the Proposal of Exercise as Therapy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(20), 12311. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012311
Shelley, J., Hudson, J., Mackintosh, K. A., Saynor, Z. L., Duckers, J., Lewis, K. E., ... & McNarry, M. A. (2021). ‘I Live a Kind of Shadow Life’: Individual Experiences of COVID-19 Recovery and the Impact on Physical Activity Levels. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(21), 11417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111417
Turner, S., Khan, M. A., Putrino, D., Woodcock, A., Kell, D. B., & Pretorius, E. (2023). Long COVID: pathophysiological factors and abnormalities of coagulation. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, 34(6), 321-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2023.03.002
Wright, J., Astill, S. L., & Sivan, M. (2022). The relationship between physical activity and long COVID: a Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5093. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095093