- Freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy is on track to compete at the Winter Olympics even as he deals with long COVID.
- He explained that gradually increasing his intensity and listening to the body were key factors in his return to exercise.
- To help him get back in shape after his recovery, he did bodyweight squats.
Gus Kenworthy, two weeks after he had recovered from mild COVID-19, was heading to the gym when a sudden bout lightheadedness made it impossible for him to stand or finish his workout.
He vomited two days later after another workout because of his nausea. The rest of his afternoon was difficult for him.
This could have been an indication that the workout was too intense for most people. Kenworthy, a two time Olympic freestyle skier, knew there was something wrong. He’s known for pushing through injuries in difficult conditions and knew it.
Competitive athletes rarely experience persistent symptoms of COVID-19, also known as long COVID. research suggests.
Some seasoned athletes find it difficult to return to their workouts, even when they have a clean bill of physical health. This is Dr. Irina Pertrache, chief of National Jewish Health’s Division of Pulmonary and co-author of a book. new studyLearn more about the phenomenon.
“Even in the very beginning stages of exercise, they looked just like patients.”
Diabetes
Patients who are sedentary even though they were previously very fit.” Petrache said.
For Kenworthy, the process of recovery has been slow, but steady. He’s heading to the X Games in Colorado in late January, and is on track to compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
“He told Insider that although he isn’t feeling 100%, he sees the light at end of the tunnel.
To get back to Olympic shape, he increased his workout intensity and swapped weight-lifting out for bodyweight exercises. He also listened to what his body was telling him.
Petrache states that although research is ongoing into long COVID, evidence supports a similar approach to ease into exercise.
Even mild cases can lead to long COVID.
COVID-19 wasn’t a setback to Kenworthy, an Olympic silver medalist from 2014.
Kenworthy suffered a concussion while training last fall. After being cleared to ski again two days later he suffered a fever. He spent the night tossing around and turning and was unable smell or taste. Although he had been fully vaccinated, a COVID-19 testing result came up positive.
“That was the worst of it. I had one really really bad night, but those were my only symptoms,”He said.
Someevidence suggests people with more severe infection have a greater risk of long COVID, but even mild cases can lead to ongoing issues.
His medical team said his concussion may have exacerbated the symptoms, but the link between the two is unclear.
He eased back into exercise with gradual intensity and bodyweight work
Kenworthy previously did heavy weighted exercises in training, but switched to bodyweight as he was recovering.
“There are so many good exercises that are just bodyweight and that’s what I’ve been focused on,” he said. Kenworthy’s detailed training plans and approach are available via the fitness app Masters, which connects users with pro athletes.
To increase a bodyweight challenge, add volume (more repetitions) or exercises like single leg deadlift or step-ups. Bodyweight moves like planks, mountain climbers, Russian twists, and deadbugs can also build a strong core.
“Core work is ultimately the foundation for everything,” he said.
Courtesy of Masters
To get back to skiing shape, Kenworthy has also been working on upping his heart rate with an exercise bike.
Petrache said her team foundEvidence that long COVID may affect the mitochondria, which power cells, and aerobic exercise may help keep them healthy to facilitate recovery.
She suggests zone 2 aerobic exercise. This is where you work at a steady pace that is just above easy for a long time.