Return To Full Training post covid-19

Returning to full training should be an individualised process. As we know, COVID affects each individual differently. For this reason the return to sport continuum has been rather difficult to navigate.

Based on recent recommendations, here is an outlined framework to how we can transition back into team sport safely. It is important however to monitor variables around training sessions, this can be symptoms of breathlessness, Resting Heart Rate (HR), cough, general fatigue, headaches and body aches, as these are signs that your body is still under duress.

It is important that we gradually increase our return to sport or training as even though our bodies may be outside of the infectious period there are lasting symptoms that can stretch weeks to months post infection. If training intensity and duration spikes too quickly, we can be sent into bronchospasm- or uncontrollable coughing and experience sharps spikes in heart rate. This is often a result of the demands on our cardiorespiratory systems increasing too quickly.

Reminder this is a rough framework based on guidlines by the BJSM (British Journal of Sports Medicine) and these should not be taken as an exact science. If you experience any adverse symptoms in your return to sport please do not hesitate in seeking further medical advice and contact your GP.