Effect of Whole Body Electrostimulation on the Functional Capacity of Elderly People After COVID-19

• Grant number: 24/00251-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Audrey Borghi Silva
• Grantee: Felipe Kazuya Takahashi
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Covid-19 resulted in multiple sequelae in the post-infection period such as cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal or nervous changes described in the literature. The symptoms related to the Covid-19 patient demonstrate a significant reduction in lung capacity, fatigue, muscle strength, functional capacity when carrying out activities of daily living (ADLs) and when performing physical exercise. In this sense, the physical exercise protocol that involves resistance and aerobic training is the gold standard for treating these patients. However, even after rehabilitation programs, some patients still demonstrate symptomatic manifestations of long Covid. In this context, the association of exercise with whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation (WB-EMS), as a new therapeutic resource to gain neuroplasticity, muscular strength and functionality, would enable better symptomatic and functional results for these elderly patients with chronic diseases. However, it is not yet proven that the combination of WB-EMS with physical exercise brings improvements in elderly patients post- Covid-19. Objective: To evaluate the effects of exercise associated with WB-EMS on functional capacity through the 2-minute step test, as well as physiological responses during the test in elderly people in the post-Covid-19 period after a 5-week protocol