Getting Back on Track After Contracting Covid-19 (A Bodybuilder’s Guide)

           The Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is considered one of the most dangerous viral infections affecting mankind. The disease has left an ugly scar in sports that may take decades to erase. Towards the end of 2020, the virus brought the world to a standstill. Every sport was curtailed, and participants and respective management were confined to their homes in worldwide lockdowns of biblical proportions. The level of inconvenience was unprecedented in recent history, and Covid-19 seems to have changed our world forever. Whether you’ve been infected or not, everyone has been affected somehow back on Track After Covid-19 is not very difficult.

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               Sportsmen and women, bodybuilders, had careers hanging in the balance, especially those who contracted Covid. Consequently, all were asked or forced to train from home. Everyone had to improvise to keep their form; trust me, it came with many sacrifices. Fast-forward to the beginning of 2021, reality started hitting hard, and we decided the virus wouldn’t continue holding us at 00000ransom. Normalcy started returning, albeit with difficulty. Restrictions were relaxed gradually, and we’re now halfway toward complete normalcy. However, just like how people struggled to adapt to the new normal, we’re having a rough time getting back on track. Humans are incredible creatures; we can continually adapt to any change as long as the conditions endure.

            Here is how bodybuilders who have contracted Covid-19 can get up on their feet again and resume their careers. Strong!

Get Medical Clearance

              Ensuring you're free from the virus is the first step towards resuming your career as a bodybuilder. However, some scary discoveries continue to be made about this virus. Several recovered patients have continued to experience certain complications even after testing negative for Covid-19. These include the lungs and other organs that don't work in their regular capacity. As a bodybuilder wanting a successful career, this discovery could be devastating. Furthermore, some people report having died suddenly death days or weeks after making a full recovery. For this reason, you must get medical clearance from the doctor before resuming any bodybuilding activity. You should first undergo these tests to determine whether you can resume training after recovering from COVID-19.

Cardiovascular Evaluation

               Covid-related sudden deaths have been reported among athletes since the pandemic began. Sudden death is caused by a condition known as myocarditis. Recovered patients may have had an injury in their cardiovascular system, which may eventually cause death. A cardiovascular evaluation by a professional medical practitioner will reveal whether the person can resume training and the exercises they should perform. Tests to determine cardiovascular fitness include heart sounds, chamber dilations, pressure at lower extremities, and more. If any of these cardiovascular activities are found to be below or above average, then it means the athlete is not fit enough to resume full training.

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             Additionally, the doctor will prescribe appropriate medication and suggest other ways to help you fully recover. It is also important to note that Covid-19 affects people differently. People with severe cases of the disease are more likely to experience complications after negative testing. Mild cases, on the other hand, don’t come with any additional complications post-recovery.

Hypertensive Evaluation and Medication

               If a medical doctor determines you’re susceptible to hypertension post-Covid, you must take antihypertensive drugs. These drugs are helpful because they help stabilize blood sugar levels among recovering patients. However, medication such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors may cause adverse side effects. In such a case, you should discontinue the medication and concentrate on other non-medical recovery methods only if the effects are severe.

Pulmonary Evaluation

              Coronavirus affects the lungs more than any other organ in the human body. That means the lungs take longer to recover, and some people report having permanent lung damage. Therefore, a pulmonary evaluation is essential to determine the extent of lung damage, if any. Acute respiratory syndrome, a condition seen in recovered Covid patients, may negatively impact a bodybuilder’s career if not detected. A lung examination by a qualified physician should indicate if your lungs are still in distress. The following findings should prompt additional examination of your respiratory system:

• Crackles
• Dullness to percussion
• Egophony
• Dyspnea
• Any other signs of respiratory failure

Not that the lungs play a crucial role in bodybuilding training, and any complication may end your career.

Return to Training Progression

           Once the various organs and systems are evaluated, it is time to resume training. You should know that training will be progressive; you won’t start from where you left off. Being a new disease, clinicians and sports managers have not come up with clear guidelines on how to resume training after infection. However, we know that the body may not work at total capacity, hence the need to start with light exercises.

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Stage 1: Low-Intensity Exercises

            A body that has been battling COVID-19 needs time to make a full, natural recovery. Light exercises are part of that recovery but will only work under one condition – it must be slow. In the first week of training, after testing negative, ensure to do the following only:

• Walking
• Jogging
• Simple stretches

          Do this for 10-15 minutes every day. It should be enough to prepare your body for what is coming in the second week.

            In the second week of training, increase the pace of walking and jogging. Also, double the time, so you exercise 20-30 minutes daily. If you feel strong enough to do more stretches, go ahead. Most importantly, monitor how your body responds to the exercises and make necessary adjustments. Please note that the recovery rate differs in people, so you should do everything at your own pace. Keep exercising for as long as you feel comfortable, and don’t rush to perform strenuous workouts.

Stage 2: Moderate Activity

           This is the stage where you start toying around with your training equipment. Technically, no severe training is taking place, just you checking out your stuff. Pick that barbell and feel the weight. How does using the treadmill feel now compared to the pre-COVID period?? Grab that rope, do a couple of skips, and then toss it over.

           Stage 2 is when to maximize the low-intensity exercises you did in the first week of training. Perform more stretches and cover a more considerable distance in running or jogging. By now, you should be doing up to two hours of training every day of the week. It will prepare you adequately for what is coming in stage 3.

Stage 3: High-Intensity Exercises

             Once you have bonded with the equipment, it is time to do some serious training. At this point, you've recovered entirely and are hungry for it. However, you must be sure that your body can endure intense training before hitting the gym. Exercises in this stage should involve every gym equipment and workout you’re used to. These include bench presses, treadmills, barbells, and push-ups. High-intensity exercises are necessary to compensate for muscle mass and general form losses. You may not be able to resume normal training if the body is not returned to its normal state before the pandemic strikes.

Stage 4: Resumption of Normal Training

             The body is now ready to resume normal training after successfully going through stages 1, 2, and 3. Stage 4 is where you return and pick up where you left off. This stage should begin in the second month of training and involve full play. Depending on the kind of exercise, you can always increase the pace and do longer to compensate for lost time.

The table below summarizes various types of activities and planning at every stage.

Conclusion

              Training and bodybuilding in general after contracting COVID-19 may not be a walk in the park. One must prepare psychologically, mentally, and physically before hitting the gym. The power of a positive mind is your greatest weapon against this virus. Waking up every day and deciding that it won't change your life for the worse is the first step toward a comeback. But even as you resume training, be careful not to strain the already-compromised body. Most importantly, ensuring a well-balanced diet is appropriate because it goes a long way in ensuring you resume training fast. Good luck!