Considerations for Return to Exercise Following Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 in the Recreational Athlete

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Infectious Disease
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread illness and death.
• COVID-19 presents a wide spectrum of illness, from critical to mild.
• Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 affects multiple organ systems and can last under six weeks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations for recreational athletes returning to exercise after mild-to-moderate COVID-19.
• To address the challenges clinicians face in guiding safe return-to-activity protocols.
• To synthesize current literature on post-COVID-19 exercise recovery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on COVID-19 and return to physical activity.
• Analysis of evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 on various body systems.
• Synthesis of recommendations for clinical practice.

Main Results:

• Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 can impact cardiac, pulmonary, hematologic, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems.
• A broad range of disease expression complicates return-to-exercise guidance.
• Evidence-based considerations are crucial for safe return to activity.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians require clear guidelines to advise recreational athletes on returning to exercise post-COVID-19.
• Safe return-to-activity protocols should consider the multi-systemic effects of COVID-19.
• This review provides a framework for evidence-based decision-making.