Re: Returning to physical activity after covid-19 ; speed of increasing exercise/activity
Dear Editor
It is pleasing to read a very practical guide to helping people back towards recovery and even think new opportunities for a healthy lifestyle.
I am a little concerned that the message about not returning to exercise until at least 7 days symptom free may be mistaken as avoidance of activity until fully recovered; something we know does not happen for many patients after covid19. I appreciate the authors qualify their advice by (I think) excluding those with 'long covid; but it may be worth emphasising this point. The recent rapid NICE guide on 'long covid' (preferred term post covid-9 syndrome) talks about supporting self-management which may include activity/exercise strategies. A message to only return to exercise after 7 days free of symptoms may deter some patients from thinking about recovery strategies or guided self management.
My second concern is the daily % increase in exercise within the phases and wonder if this is too fast. Again, I acknowledge that in the text the authors offer qualifying statements and are not referring to those patient with post covid-19 syndrome, where I suspect activity increases would fall more within the CFS/ME spectrum of care.
with regards
keith
Competing interests:
No competing interests
11 February 2021
keith R linsley
consultant psychiatrist and formerly clinical lead CFS/ME county durham and darlington
Rapid Response:
Re: Returning to physical activity after covid-19 ; speed of increasing exercise/activity
Dear Editor
It is pleasing to read a very practical guide to helping people back towards recovery and even think new opportunities for a healthy lifestyle.
I am a little concerned that the message about not returning to exercise until at least 7 days symptom free may be mistaken as avoidance of activity until fully recovered; something we know does not happen for many patients after covid19. I appreciate the authors qualify their advice by (I think) excluding those with 'long covid; but it may be worth emphasising this point. The recent rapid NICE guide on 'long covid' (preferred term post covid-9 syndrome) talks about supporting self-management which may include activity/exercise strategies. A message to only return to exercise after 7 days free of symptoms may deter some patients from thinking about recovery strategies or guided self management.
My second concern is the daily % increase in exercise within the phases and wonder if this is too fast. Again, I acknowledge that in the text the authors offer qualifying statements and are not referring to those patient with post covid-19 syndrome, where I suspect activity increases would fall more within the CFS/ME spectrum of care.
with regards
keith
Competing interests: No competing interests