‘I Live a Kind of Shadow Life’: Individual Experiences of COVID-19 Recovery and the Impact on Physical Activity Levels

James Shelley, Joanne Hudson, Kelly A. Mackintosh, Zoe L. Saynor, Jamie Duckers, Keir E. Lewis, Gwyneth A. Davies, Ronan M. G. Berg and Melitta A. McNarry
Additional contact information
James Shelley: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Joanne Hudson: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Kelly A. Mackintosh: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Zoe L. Saynor: School of Sport Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UK
Jamie Duckers: Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Llandough, Penarth CF64 2XX, UK
Keir E. Lewis: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli SA14 8QF, UK
Gwyneth A. Davies: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea SA1 8PP, UK
Ronan M. G. Berg: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Bledamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
Melitta A. McNarry: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Understanding of strategies to support individuals recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. ‘Long COVID’ is a multisystem disease characterised by a range of respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal symptoms extending beyond 12 weeks. The aim of this study was to explore individuals’ experiences of recovering from COVID-19 to provide a better understanding of the acute and long-term impact of the disease on physical activity (PA). Individualised semi-structured interviews were conducted with 48 adults recovering from COVID-19 at 6–11 months post-infection. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used, reaching saturation at 14 interviews (10 female; 47 ± 7 years). Four overarching themes were identified: (i) Living with COVID-19, including managing activities of daily living; (ii) Dealing with the Unknown and self-management strategies; (iii) Re-introducing physical activity; and (iv) Challenges of returning to work. The return to PA, whether through activities of daily living, work or exercise, is often associated with the exacerbation of symptoms, presenting a range of challenges for individuals recovering from COVID-19. Individually tailored support is therefore required to address the unique challenges posed by COVID-19.

Keywords: exercise; SARS-CoV-2; long COVID; rehabilitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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