Effects and feasibility of a supervised exercise program plus multimodal home-based exercises post-hospitalized COVID-19 individuals.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/CU/54/01/115-131Keywords:
Post Covid-19, Rehabilitation, Multimodal exercise programAbstract
Introduction: Exercise programs have been recommended to individuals with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 hospital discharge. Aim: The objective of this research was to analyze the effects and feasibility of an 8-week supervised high intensity endurance and strength training plus multimodal home-based exercise program on physical, functional outcomes, levels of anxiety and in individuals with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 hospital discharge. Methods: This non-randomized study with convenience sampling, included adults reporting muscle weakness, dyspnea, and/or fatigue after COVID-19 hospitalization, with significant limitations. Exercise program included supervised high-intensity resistance and strength training sessions, as well as multimodal home exercises. The assessed outcomes included pulmonary function (spirometry), exercise capacity (6MWT); functionality capacity (STS-1min) and Post-COVID Functional Scale (PCFS), handgrip strength (HGS) and one-repetition maximum (1RM), quality of life (SF-36); and levels of anxiety and depression (total HADS). Feasibility was achieved if 50% of the sample completed 90% of the sessions of the program. Results: After intervention, individuals improved FVC, FEV1, 6MWT, STS-1mim, HGS; 1RM, SF-36 and total HADS (P< 0.005 for all results). In addition, in PCFS, 100% of the individuals showed significant improvement after intervention compared with previous functional status p<0.0001. Study retention was 66% (22 of the 33 participants), mean adherence over the 8 weeks was 90%. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Supervised high intensity endurance and strength training plus multimodal home-based exercise improved the functional capacity, muscle strength, symptoms of anxiety, and functional status in post-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, demonstrated its application to be feasible and safe.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Walter Sepulveda Loyola, Jordana Cordeiro Maluf, Aline Gil Panont, Lorena Bezerra, Vanessa Suziane Probst (Author)
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