Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 impact on the cardiorespiratory fitness in young and middle-aged populations

Author(s):Show less -

G.D. Back ^[1] ; M.R. Oliveira ^[2] ; P.F. Camargo ^[3] ; C.L. Goulart ^[4] ; C.R. Oliveira ^[5] ; K.W. Wende ^[6] ; J.C. Bonjorno Junior ^[7] ; R.F. Arbex ^[8] ; F.R. Caruso ^[9] ; R. Arena ; A. Borghi-Silva

Affiliation:Show less -

^[1] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[2] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[3] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[4] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[5] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[6] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[7] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[8] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

^[9] Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Laboratório de Fisioterapia Cardiopulmonar, Departamento de Fisioterapia - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 55, 2022-07-13.

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to compare pulmonary function test (PFT) and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performance in COVID-19 survivors with a control group (CG). This was a cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19, without severe signs and symptoms, were evaluated one month after the infection. Healthy volunteers matched for sex and age constituted the control group. All volunteers underwent the following assessments: i) clinical evaluation, ii) PTF; and iii) CPET on a cycle ergometer. Metabolic variables were measured by the CareFusion Oxycon Mobile device. In addition, heart rate responses, peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and perceived exertion were recorded. Twenty-nine patients with COVID-19 and 18 healthy control subjects were evaluated. Surviving patients of COVID-19 had a mean age of 40 years and had higher body mass index and persistent symptoms compared to the CG (P<0.05), but patients with COVID-19 had more comorbidities, number of medications, and greater impairment of lung function (P<0.05). Regarding CPET, patients surviving COVID-19 had reduced peak workload, oxygen uptake (V̇O2), carbon dioxide output (V̇CO2), circulatory power (CP), and end-tidal pressure for carbon dioxide (PETCO2) (P<0.05). Additionally, survivors had depressed chronotropic and ventilatory responses, low peak oxygen saturation, and greater muscle fatigue (P<0.05) compared to CG. Despite not showing signs and symptoms of severe disease during infection, adult survivors had losses of lung function and cardiorespiratory capacity one month after recovery from COVID-19. In addition, cardiovascular, ventilatory, and lower limb fatigue responses were the main exercise limitations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/15726-0 - Evaluation of pulmonary and endothelial function, autonomic cardiac control and its relation to the exercise capacity in surviving patients of COVID-19: a segment study
• Grantee: Guilherme Dionir Back
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 15/26501-1 - Study of limiting factors to physical exercise and adjunct effects to rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory disease: a multicentre approach
• Grantee: Audrey Borghi Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants