The previous medical advice is being reversed.
A recent study suggests that individuals experiencing Long COVID may potentially benefit from engaging in exercise to enhance their health, contrary to previous guidance that advised against it.
Lead researcher Andrea Tryfonos, a postdoctoral investigator at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, highlighted that organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) had previously cautioned against intense physical activity for those with post-COVID symptoms.
However, the study’s findings indicate that individuals with Long COVID respond similarly to exercise as healthy individuals, without exacerbating their symptoms or negatively impacting their bodies, despite starting with more symptoms initially.
Initially, concerns arose about the potential harm of exercise for Long COVID patients due to common symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and muscle weakness, which can worsen with exertion.
To investigate this further, researchers enlisted 31 Long COVID patients and matched them with 31 healthy counterparts. Each participant underwent three exercise sessions comprising high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, and strength training, conducted in random order over several weeks.
Before, immediately after, and two days post-exercise, all participants underwent comprehensive medical assessments to evaluate their symptoms and overall health.
Tryfonos noted that individuals with Long COVID generally exhibited lower levels of fitness and muscle strength, possibly due to both the infection and reduced activity over time. Moreover, a significant portion of Long COVID patients also experienced myopathy, a condition characterized by muscle weakness.
Despite these challenges, the study suggests that exercise could still benefit individuals with Long COVID. While further analysis is needed to understand the underlying reasons for muscle changes observed in Long COVID patients, the overall message is encouraging.
Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study underscores the importance of supervised exercise for individuals with Long COVID, emphasizing the gradual progression of intensity based on individual capabilities and preferences.
Tryfonos recommends that individuals with Long COVID should not shy away from exercise but should instead start with activities they enjoy at an appropriate level, gradually increasing intensity under supervision. This approach, she suggests, could help improve their overall health and well-being.
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