enefits of Home-Based Exercise Training Following Critical SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Repor

Author(s)

Longobardi, Igor ^[1] ; do Prado, Danilo Marcelo Leite ^[1] ; Goessler, Karla Fabiana ^[1] ; de Oliveira Junior, Gersiel Nascimento ^[1] ; de Andrade, Danieli Castro Oliveira ^[2] ; Gualano, Bruno ^{[2, 1]} ; Roschel, Hamilton ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Appl Physiol & Nutr Res Grp, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Rheumatol Div, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN SPORTS AND ACTIVE LIVING; v. 3, JAN 11 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

In the current scenario, in which an elevated number of COVID-19 survivors present with severe physical deconditioning, exercise intolerance, persistent symptoms, and other post-acute consequences, effective rehabilitation strategies are of utmost relevance. In this study, we report for the first time the effect of home-based exercise training (HBET) in a survivor patient from critical COVID-19 illness. A 67-year-old woman who had critical COVID-19 disease {[}71 days of hospitalization, of which 49 days were in the intensive care unit (ICU) with invasive mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure] underwent a 10-week HBET aiming to recovering overall physical condition. Before and after the intervention, we assessed cardiopulmonary parameters, skeletal muscle strength and functionality, fatigue severity, and self-reported persistent symptoms. At baseline (3 months after discharge), she presented with severe impairment in cardiorespiratory functional capacity (<50% age predicted VO2peak). After the intervention, remarkable improvements in VO2peak (from 10.61 to 15.48 mL center dot kg(-1)center dot min(-1), Delta: 45.9%), oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES; from 1.0 to 1.3 L center dot min(-1), Delta: 30.1%), HR/VO2 slope (from 92 to 52 bpm center dot L-1, Delta: -43.5%), the lowest VE/VCO2 ratio (from 35.4 to 32.9 L center dot min(-1), Delta: -7.1%), and exertional dyspnea were observed. In addition, handgrip strength (from 22 to 27 kg, Delta: 22.7%), 30-s Sit-to-Stand (30-STS; from 14 to 16 repetitions, Delta:14.3%), Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG; from 8.25 to 7.01 s, Delta: -15%) performance and post-COVID functional status (PCFS) score (from 4 to 2) were also improved from baseline to post-intervention. Self-reported persistent symptoms were also improved, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score decreased (from 4 to 2.7) from baseline to post-intervention. This is the first evidence that a semi-supervised, HBET program may be safe and potentially effective in improving cardiorespiratory and physical functionality in COVID-19 survivors. Controlled studies are warranted to confirm these findings. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/07540-4 - Effects of exercise training associated with protein supplementation on bone parameters in older people with sarcopenic obesity under caloric restriction: a randomized controlled clinical trial
• Grantee: Gersiel Nascimento de Oliveira Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate