Exercise and Yoga as Modalities for Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation

COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic. Large numbers of people are affected for it all over the world. COVID-19 has good recovery rate. People who are surviving this pandemic have residual impacts on their physical, physiological and psychosocial health. There is an immense need for rehabilitation of patients after COVID-19. Considering the post viral impact, this paper tries to outline the role of exercises in rehabilitation after COVID-19. In COVID-19 lung is the main target organ attacked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) while immune system, physical health as well as mental health is highly effected due to covid-19. The speed of spread of coronavirus disease infection is increasing day by day and still there is no availability vaccination till date which make necessary to discharge patients with mild symptoms as soon as possible. Due to above reasons, it is important to draw up rehabilitation programs for such mild cased patients to restore physical health, respiratory function, to reduce anxiety to restore good quality of life. Rehabilitation program play a vital role in post discharge patients with coronavirus disease. Yoga play a tremendous role in post COVID-19, which reduces psychological stress may had an important role to play in strengthening the immune system thereby reducing spread of infections and preventing complications. Yoga for maintaining respiratory health and improving immunity. Consistent practice of yogic breathing techniques (pranayama) increases the lung’s airflow, air capacity, stamina and efficiency. Yoga could also be helpful in improving respiratory capacity along with breathing exercises thus overall effect of yoga training toward improved pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.