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

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.

Social Life of Females with Persistent COVID-19 Symptoms: A Qualitative Study

“…Our findings show that participants easily become fatigued while engaging in physical activity, even during treatment. These findings are consistent with Shelley et al’s study of individuals with persistent COVID-19 symptoms [ 44 ]. Participants in that study reported that COVID-19 had a profound impact on all aspects of their lives and made them inactive compared to their pre-COVID-19 status [ 44 ].…”

“…These findings are consistent with Shelley et al’s study of individuals with persistent COVID-19 symptoms [ 44 ]. Participants in that study reported that COVID-19 had a profound impact on all aspects of their lives and made them inactive compared to their pre-COVID-19 status [ 44 ]. Moreover, another study found that persistent symptoms adversely affected people’s ability to engage in exercise, job duties, self-care, and housework, mostly by making them tired [ 45 ].…”

Neurological and Mental Health Symptoms Associated with Post-COVID-19 Disability in a Sample of Patients Discharged from a COVID-19 Ward: A Secondary Analysis

“…As a matter of fact, current data point out that COVID-19 survivors experience at least one limitation with daily life activities [ 17 ]. Among these limitations, difficulties with mobility (such as walking, climbing stairs, or lifting weights [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]) and limitations in living alone without assistance [ 20 ], as well as in returning to daily social and work activities [ 17 , 20 , 21 ], were observed. However, the real impact of brain-related sequelae of COVID-19 on disability levels has not been systematically addressed.…”

Surviving severe COVID‐19: Interviews with patients, informal carers and health professionals

“… 8 , 9 , 10 Yet recovery prognostics and optimum standards of rehabilitation are less clear. 11 , 12 Further, their pathway to survival and recovery as well as their access to health care has, and will be, altered by social distancing measures and additional pressures on health and social care during and after the pandemic. 13 Experiences of illness, survival and recovery for those admitted to intensive care units with COVID‐19 will include unique challenges compared to those who have survived critical illness prior to the pandemic.…”