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Health Information and Tools > After COVID > Exercise >  Exercise guidance and support
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After COVID

After COVID-19

Exercise guidance and support

​It's important to know how to exercise safely depending on your symptoms. Guidelines can give you a general idea. But they never replace advice from your healthcare provider. This is especially important if you:
  • were in the hospital for COVID-19
  • have any other health concerns or an injury
  • are on oxygen therapy that your doctor prescribed
  • have symptoms that get worse with activity

Check with a healthcare provider

There are many reasons to talk to your healthcare provider about exercising after COVID-19. They can:

  • screen your symptoms
  • help you decide if exercise is right for you at your stage of recovery
  • answer questions you have about your symptoms and exercise
  • refer you to another healthcare provider or a specialist if needed

Check with your doctor before you start to exercise if you:

  • have a heart or lung condition
  • feel worse or more tired the day after exercise
  • or have symptoms that stop you from doing your daily activities
  • have any symptoms listed below

Stop exercising and contact a healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms:

  • fever that keeps coming back
  • nausea (feeling sick to your stomach)
  • dizzy or lightheaded
  • short of breath at rest
  • blurred or double vision
  • headache that isn't normal for you
  • tight feeling or pain in your chest  
  • pain that is very bad or limits your daily activity
  • irregular blood pressure or heart rate
  • trouble doing more your activity, or feeling worse after exercising

Once your symptoms have improved, check with your healthcare provider to be sure it’s safe before you start exercising again.

Exercise support

Get support with exercise if any of the following apply to you:

  • You keep having symptoms from COVID-19 or have long COVID.
  • You have chronic health conditions (for example, arthritis, diabetes, or a stroke).
  • You've never exercised before.
  • You're unsure about exercise or just don't know what to do or how to progress.

If you live in Alberta, the following services can support your recovery from COVID-19:

  • The Rehabilitation Advice Line at 1-833-379-0563 is free and can help screen symptoms before you start or continue with exercise. They can help you decide if it's a good time to add exercise to your routine. They can guide you in a plan for managing your symptoms and activities.
  • The Alberta Healthy Living Program may offer services where you live or virtual care options. They can help you learn to manage your chronic health conditions, including long COVID. They may offer support and guidance for exercising safely.​​
Current as of: October 2, 2024
Author: Neurosciences, Rehabilitation & Vision Strategic Clinical Network, and Allied Health Professional Practice and Education, Health Professions Strategy and Practice

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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