Many people aren't aware that if you're Covid-positive you are allowed to exercise outside as long as you're physically distanced from others and following the government's guidelines, says sports doctor Mark Fulcher.
If you've had a Covid diagnosis but aren't symptomatic, it's safe and healthy to keep physically active, he tells Jesse Mulligan.
Photo: Andres Ayrton from Pexels
"If you're feeling asymptomatic it's okay to get going. If you have symptoms which are predominantly above the neck - say a runny nose or a sore throat - generally, it's safe to listen to your body and continue with your normal level of activity.
"A lot of people with Covid actually feel quite good, they have relatively minor symptoms, so it's absolutely safe and desirable to remain active."
Physical exercise is good for our mental health, too and being able to keep active is a really important coping strategy for a lot of people, Dr Fulcher says.
"When you're stuck at home and you've just been diagnosed with a condition we've been avoiding for two years, I think, psychologically, that can be quite difficult."
If you've been sick with Covid, restart your physical activity with some gentle walking and use your common sense as you build back up to your usual levels, he says.
"You don't want to go from being inactive and feeling crappy to suddenly trying to run a marathon or play a game of touch. It's about slowly testing it out and proving to your body you can handle that level of exercise."
If you're feeling really unwell with Covid-19 and/or have symptoms below the neck such as shortness of breath or chest pain, it's a good idea to rest and seek medical advice, Dr Fulcher says.
For people isolating at home with and without Covid, he recommends the website Moving Medicine.
Dr Mark Fulcher is the President of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, managing director at Axis Sports Medicine, and Medical Director for New Zealand Football.
