Exercise prescription in post-COVID syndrome: A challenge for primary healthcare

After the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic we face a new global epidemic: the Post-COVID Syndrome. This novel condition has fluctuating progression and a wide range of symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, muscle pain or breathlessness. Although its pathophysiology is not clear, a multiorganic affection is suspected, altering the immune, cardiorespitatory and nervous systems. Whereas there is no consensus over its treatment, most of the researches conclude the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise and a multicomponent rehabilitation, coordinating and cooperating between different health professionals. A functional, respiratory and strength evaluation prior to treatment prescription is highly recommended, since it will help professionals to precisely prescribe and objectively measure the evolution of our patients. In this article we suggest a few tests, adequate to primary health requirements, to evaluate our patients' initial condition, as well as the most secure way to initiate a therapeutic exercise programme, together with other healthcare providers. (c) 2023 Sociedad Espanola de Medicos de Atencion Primaria (SEMERGEN). Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.