What are the guidelines for
optimal health with COVID-19?

Click here for : Press Release   Opinion Letter  Full Document: Forward with Covid-19, Kinesiology Guidelines 

 

INTRODUCTION

The confinement restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly changed our lifestyles in terms of reduced daily active living and exercise. Canadians face many challenges as a result of the impact of COVID-19: working from home in settings with poor ergonomics; dealing with the effects of increased stress and anxiety on cognitive well-being and mental health; losing the ability to perform regular daily tasks; gaining weight from the inability to exercise or play sports while being more sedentary.

Welcome to the CKA Kinesiology Guidelines, practical information for those undergoing recovery and/or resuming a regular healthy, active lifestyle.

COVID-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted, but we will not simply be able to return to our previous lives. Canadians will need to take steps to ensure a safe return to their former active lifestyles and physical activity programs, whether or not they had COVID-19. Some people (e.g., COVID long-haulers and seniors) will need help returning to activities of daily living.

Kinesiologists are the solution. Kinesiologists are human movement experts who provide scientific advice and physical activity treatments that improve recovery, health and well-being, through all phases of life.

The CKA / ACK wishes to raise awareness of kinesiology as a solution for Canadians recovering from the impact of COVID-19 on their health and well-being. Although Kinesiologists are educated in many areas of practice, these guidelines focus on six different fields: cognitive capacities, ergonomics, cardiorespiratory health, functional abilities, weight gain and obesity, and safe return to sport. It is meant to be used as key advice to Canadians and to clients of Kinesiologists and other health professionals.

The guidelines demonstrates how Canadians – with the help of Kinesiologists – can safely and effectively return to a healthy lifestyle. The practical advice can be used as restrictions are lifted and after the pandemic. The guidelines recognize the leadership of Kinesiologists nationally and provincially in finding solutions for health and well-being. Physical activity is a foundation for a healthy lifestyle as we all strive to move better and live better.

 

FORWARD WITH COVID-19 KINESIOLOGY GUIDELINES

Hereafter, you will find the guidelines focus on six fields of practice: cognitive capacities, ergonomics, cardiorespiratory health, functional abilities, weight gain and obesity, and safe return to sport. It is meant to be used as key advice to Canadians and to clients of Kinesiologists and other health professionals. These guidelines are presented in forms of inforgraphics. Videos of each infographics will also be made available as we reveil them gradually until the 2021 National Kinesiology Week in November.

 

Six infographics:     Download here     see Videos below 

 

Build Your Best Brain! Cognitive Capacities
	Time to Take a Breath and   and Move to Your Heartbeat!    Your Cardiorespiratory Health
Are you All Crooked? Ergonimics
	Yes, You Can Do That Again!   Functional Abilities
Move Again Safely! Return to sport
	Feeling the Weight of Inactivity?   Weight Gain and Obesity

 

Note: Should you wish to print, each document are two pages: use 81/2 x 11 both side or 17x11 to have both on one page.

The intent of these guidelines is to assist with decision-making and strengthen your ability to undergo a meaningful, safe and engaging return to an active lifestyle – in order to improve health and quality of life – as the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Local regulations must be taken into consideration. Since reopening is provincially/territorially managed, please adapt the guidelines accordingly and rely on the expertise of local Kinesiologists and provincial kinesiology associations, who are committed to supporting health and well-being for all.

The six flow charts cover issues that studies indicate people are struggling with, whether or not they contracted the COVID-19 virus. Kinesiologists can also help with other issues because their scope of practice is broad.

As university-educated health professionals, Kinesiologists apply exercise and movement science to promote health and well-being; prevent, manage and rehabilitate injuries; treat illness and chronic disease; restore function; and optimize human performance in the workplace, clinical settings, sport and fitness. Kinesiologists are the only human movement specialists who use science and research to offer movement as medicine to any person with a health or fitness goal who want a hands-on, personalized approach. Kinesiologists work with people of all ages and physical abilities, in many settings, to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. They improve quality of life, often using interventions that include physical activity.

Visit: Find a Kin near you

 

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING WITH KINESIOLOGISTS

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RECOVERY AND ASSESSMENT

Physical and mental health are critical to well-being. How does a Kinesiologist support personalized recovery through assessments and treatments using movement and physical activity programs?

A Kinesiologist will to the following:

• Use science-based testing and knowledge to ensure effective assessment.
• Select focused recovery goals and develop a plan to resolve the issue.
• Work with you to develop your physical activity programs, experiences and goals.
• Identify what counts as success and then determine assessment criteria to readjust programs or to ensure progression.
• Encourage adherence to the physical activity program by allowing you to choose from a range of activities with similar movements and skills.
• Regularly re-evaluate your progress and be responsive to data collected from observations, conversations, physical fitness testing and assignments.

 

THE STEPS TO INTERVENTION

Kinesiologists are specialists in the dynamics of human movement and its components. The primary means of intervention is movement with physical activity. The scope of the practice, and all underlying actions, is based on a wealth of science-based evidence that touches on prevention, fitness, rehabilitation, education and performance.

A Kinesiologist will work with you by:

• Searching for pertinent information
• Performing an initial or motivational interview
• Identifying the intervention mandate
• Choosing protocols and administering tests
• Analyzing and interpreting results

Based on the results of the assessment, an intervention plan will be defined and executed, such as:

• An active living, improved quality of life or physical activity program
• An exercise program
• An interdisciplinary intervention plan (that is, working with other health professionals)

• A physical preparation plan for athletic performance or other objectives

Intervention plans require appropriate professional supervision. Your Kinesiologist will adjust the program to help you achieve your goals while minimizing any risk of harm. Professional intervention can begin at any time, alone or in conjunction with a multidisciplinary team, in a medical or sport-performance situation. In addition to clinical intervention, Kinesiologists also provide consulting expertise to facilitate the adoption and reinforcement of healthy lifestyle habits.

 

CONCLUSION

Returning to an active lifestyle and improved quality of life will involve many challenges. One thing we know for certain is how critical it is to support our health and well-being at this time. Kinesiologists can support Canadians in the WHY and HOW as they deal with the impact of COVID-19 and take responsibility for their health and well-being.

This document is the beginning of a long conversation. COVID-19 restrictions are gradually being lifted, but you won’t be able to simply return to the “normal” life you led before. You will need to take steps to safely return to your former active lifestyle and physical activity programs. If you are a senior or are recovering from COVID-19, you may need help returning to activities of daily living. Whatever your situation, Kinesiologists can ensure a safe and long-term recovery or return to activity. We look forward to continuing this conversation with you.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The CKA / ACK would like to acknowledge the contribution of the lead practitioners involved in developing the Forward with COVID-19 Kinesiology Guidelines. We recognize the devotion, time and expertise that went into creating the comprehensive flow charts. Thank you to:

• Anthony Kehrig, SK
• Catarina Martins, RKin, ON
• Céline Girard, RKin, ON
• Charmi Lad, RKin, ON
• Conny Glenn, RKin, ON
• C. Nolan Turnbull, MB
• Kerri Blackburn, BC
• Victor Wu, RKin, ON
• France A. Martin, QC