Balancing the value and risk of exercise-based therapy post-COVID-19: a narrative review

Singh, Sally J.; Daynes, Enya; McAuley, Hamish J.C.; Raman, Betty; Greening, Neil J.; Chalder, Trudie; Elneima, Omer; Evans, Rachael A.; Bolton, Charlotte E.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to ongoing symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue and muscle pain, which can have a substantial impact on an individual. Exercise-based rehabilitation programmes have proven beneficial in many long-term conditions that share similar symptoms. These programmes have favourably influenced breathlessness, fatigue and pain, while also increasing functional capacity. Exercise-based rehabilitation may benefit those with ongoing symptoms following COVID-19. However, some precautions may be necessary prior to embarking on an exercise programme. Areas of concern include ongoing complex lung pathologies, such as fibrosis, cardiovascular abnormalities and fatigue, and concerns regarding post-exertional symptom exacerbation. This article addresses these concerns and proposes that an individually prescribed, symptom-titrated exercise-based intervention may be of value to individuals following infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Citation

Singh, S. J., Daynes, E., McAuley, H. J., Raman, B., Greening, N. J., Chalder, T., …Bolton, C. E. (2023). Balancing the value and risk of exercise-based therapy post-COVID-19: a narrative review. European Respiratory Review, 32(170), Article 230110. https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0110-2023

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Oct 24, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 20, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Feb 1, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 2, 2024
• Journal: European Respiratory Review
• Print ISSN: 0905-9180
• Electronic ISSN: 1600-0617
• Publisher: European Respiratory Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 170
• Article Number: 230110
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1183/16000617.0110-2023
• Keywords: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/28716141
• Publisher URL: https://err.ersjournals.com/content/32/170/230110