ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To find and compare the clinical and psychological effects of low and high-intensity aerobic training combined with resistance training in community-dwelling older men with post-COVID-19 sarcopenia symptoms. DESIGN: Randomized control trial. SETTING: University physiotherapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Men in the age range of 60-80 years with post-COVID-19 Sarcopenia. INTERVENTION: All participants received resistance training for whatever time of the day that they received it, and that in addition they were randomized into two groups like low-intensity aerobic training group (n = 38) and high-intensity aerobic training group (n = 38) for 30 minutes/session, 1 session/day, 4 days/week for 8 weeks. OUTCOMES: Clinical (muscle strength and muscle mass) and psychological (kinesiophobia and quality of life scales) measures were measured at the baseline, fourth week, the eighth week, and at six months follow-up. RESULTS: The 2 × 4 group by time repeated measures MANOVA with corrected post-hoc tests for six dependent variables shows a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.001). At the end of six months follow up, the handgrip strength, -3.9 (95% CI -4.26 to -3.53), kinesiophobia level 4.7 (95% CI 4.24 to 5.15), and quality of life -10.4 (95% CI -10.81 to -9.9) shows more improvement (P < 0.001) in low-intensity aerobic training group than high-intensity aerobic training group, but in muscle mass both groups did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-intensity aerobic training exercises are more effective in improving the clinical (muscle strength) and psychological (kinesiophobia and quality of life) measures than high-intensity aerobic training in post-COVID 19 Sarcopenia.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Resistance Training , Sarcopenia , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Hand Strength , Humans , Independent Living , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle Strength , Quality of Life , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on recovered COVID-19 patients after weaning from mechanical ventilation. Therefore, this study assessed the efficacy of IMT on recovered COVID-19 patients following mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Forty-two recovered COVID-19 patients (33 men and 9 women) weaned from mechanical ventilation with a mean age of 48.05â±â8.85âyears were enrolled in this pilot control clinical study. Twenty-one patients were equipped to 2-week IMT (IMT group) and 21 matched peers were recruited as a control (control group). Forced vital capacity (FVC%), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), dyspnea severity index (DSI), quality of life (QOL), and six-minute walk test (6-MWT) were assessed initially before starting the study intervention and immediately after intervention. RESULTS: Significant interaction effects were observed in the IMT when compared to control group, FVC% (Fâ=â5.31, Pâ=â.041, ηP2â=â0.13), FEV1% (Fâ=â4.91, Pâ=â.043, ηP2â=â0.12), DSI (Fâ=â4.56, Pâ=â.032, ηP2â=â0.15), QOL (Fâ=â6.14, Pâ=â.021, ηP2â=â0.17), and 6-MWT (Fâ=â9.34, Pâ=â.028, ηP2â=â0.16). Within-group analysis showed a significant improvement in the IMT group (FVC%, Pâ=â.047, FEV1%, Pâ=â.039, DSI, Pâ=â.001, QOL, Pâ<â.001, and 6-MWT, Pâ<â.001), whereas the control group displayed nonsignificant changes (Pâ>â.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-week IMT improves pulmonary functions, dyspnea, functional performance, and QOL in recovered intensive care unit (ICU) COVID-19 patients after consecutive weaning from mechanical ventilation. IMT program should be encouraged in the COVID-19 management protocol, specifically with ICU patients.