Covid-19 and return to sport by Kirsty

Covid-19 has in some way or another affected each and everyone of us. It’s tentacles have wound there way around the globe and it’s effect has been undoubtedly devastating. For many it has resulted in loss of life, for others, short and long term physical and mental health issues, loss of jobs, loss of income, loneliness, uncertainty, anxiety and the list goes on.

For sportsman around the world, Covid has changed the way we view and participate in sporting events and activities.

Performing without or with a vastly reduced crowd, uncertainty as to whether events will be canceled or postponed and therefor difficulty planning your training schedule and the greatest challenge of return to sport post Covid-19 infection which is something that must not be taken lightly and should be done with the assistance of a health care professional.

Provided below is an example of aspects that may be associated with your return to sport:

-Fatigue

-Stress

-Lack of motivation

-Compromised wellbeing

There is still much we are yet to discover about the nature of this pandemic. There are many unknowns and it is therefore critical to follow a graded return to sport program as well as to closely monitor aspects such as but not restricted to the following whilst becoming active again:

-Heart Rate (morning resting, before activity, during activity and recovery)

-Blood pressure (before, during and recovery)

-Perceived level of exertion

-Perceived level of dyspnea

-Pain levels

Your Biokineticist can help you with baseline scoring and objective testing to better measure and identify deviations. We can assist with the prescription of exercises that are appropriate to your level of fitness and progressed at a rate at which your body can adapt with reduced risk of injury.

Having a clinical evaluation prior to attempting to return to activity is important in ensuring your body is ready and that no further harm is created in trying to return too early. Your healthcare provider needs to assess which systems may be involved and to what extent they have been compromised. Testing the following may be helpful.

Important Testing for athlete return to sport:

-Cardiac function assessment

-Pulmonary function assessment

-Vascular system assessment

 

Here are some helpful tips to remember as you start your journey back to sport:

  • Monitor things you do know to reduce the things you don’t know
  • Test strength and fitness in ways which are comparable at regular intervals, such as a push up test
  • Record heart rate, session intensity, rate of perceived exertion (on a scale of 1-10), and note any pain or other symptoms you may experience.
  • Always ere on the side of caution as there may be long term physical and mental effects.
  • Listen to what your body is telling you
  • Too much too soon is never helpful so take it slow!