Comparison of cardiopulmonary fitness level with normal values after COVID-19 and evaluation of factors affecting physical capacity
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether exercise capacity changes following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), to clarify its relationship with age, sex, physical activity, disease severity, and comorbidities, and to identify the factors affecting exercise capacity. Patients and methods: Between June 2021 and June 2022. A total of 132 participants (61 males, 71 females; mean age: 43.3±12.4 years; range, 24 to 74 years) who were older than 18 years and had a history of COVID-19 were included at least 30 days after the recovery of all COVID-19 symptoms. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, six-minute walk test, pulmonary function tests, and cardiopulmonary exercise test were performed. Results: =0.132, p<0.001). Compared to individuals with normal exercise capacity, in those with decreased exercise capacity, vital capacity (p<0.001), forced vital capacity (p=0.002), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (p=0.006), and maximum voluntary ventilation (p=0.027) were lower, and the anaerobic threshold was reached earlier (p<0.001). Conclusion: The exercise capacity of certain individuals was low nearly three months after COVID-19. Younger age, male sex, and COVID-19 severity were related to low exercise capacity. Respiratory dysfunctions and physical inactivity-induced deconditioning were the factors affecting exercise capacity.
Authors: Burak Kamil Turan, Yeşim Kurtaiş Aytür, Aysun Genç, Derya Gökmen
Institution: Ankara University
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414187953