A major study has been launched to understand how the sport and physical activity sector is supporting people suffering from Long-COVID.
The ukactive Research Institute, Sport England, and Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) are working together to explore how organisations are delivering physical activity to people with Long-COVID, and the relationships with local health services that may be commissioning these activities or referring patients to them.
The researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the support available and provide initial insights into what helps patients to manage or improve their symptoms.
Long-COVID is a complex, multi-system disease that adversely affects the day-to-day activities of 2.1 million people, with the number of patients experiencing chronic symptoms placing unprecedented demand on the NHS.
Given the complexity of Long-COVID and the lack of clarity about how best to treat the condition – including the role of physical activity – it is essential that the physical activity sector is equipped with the skills and knowledge to support people, and to avoid causing harm.