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

Author(s):Show less -

Back, G. D. ; Oliveira, M. R. ; Camargo, P. F. ; Goulart, C. L. ; Oliveira, C. R. ; Wende, K. W. ; Bonjorno Junior, J. C. ; Arbex, R. F. ; Caruso, F. R. ; Arena, R. ; Borghi-Silva, A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 55, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2022-01-01.

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 ((V)over dotO(2)), carbon dioxide output ((V)over dotCO(2)), 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