• Grant number: 23/02421-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Emmanuel Gomes Ciolac
• Grantee: Emmanuel Gomes Ciolac
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction/Purpose: The present randomized, single-center, and single-blinded clinical trial tested the hypothesis that tele-supervised home-based exercise training (exercise) is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and functional capacity parameters in individuals who were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: Thirty-two individuals (52 ± 10 yr; 17 were female) randomly assigned to exercise (n = 12) and control groups (n = 20) had their anthropometric (weight, body mass index), hemodynamic (brachial and central blood pressure), vascular (arterial stiffness), ventilatory (pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength), and functional parameters (handgrip strength, five-time sit to stand, timed up and go test, and 6-min walking test) assessed at baseline (30-45 d of hospital discharged) and after 12 wk of follow-up. Results: Both groups similarly increased ( P < 0.001) forced vital capacity (absolute and percent of predicted), forced expiratory volume in the first second (absolute and percent of predicted), and handgrip strength during follow-up. However, only the exercise group reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (2.0 ± 0.6 m·s1, P = 0.048) and increased ( P < 0.05) resting oxygen saturation (1.9%± 0.6%),mean inspiratory pressure (24.7 ± 7.1 cmH2O),mean expiratory pressure (20.3 ± 5.8 cm H2O), and percent of predicted mean expiratory pressure (14%± 22%) during follow-up. No significant changes were found in any other variable during follow-up. Conclusions: Present findings suggest that tele-supervised home-based exercise training can be a potential adjunct therapeutic to rehabilitate individuals who were hospitalized due to COVID-19. (AU)