The Impact of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome on Self-Reported Physical Activity

Jeannet M. Delbressine, Felipe V. C. Machado, Yvonne M. J. Goërtz, Maarten Van Herck, Roy Meys, Sarah Houben-Wilke, Chris Burtin, Frits M. E. Franssen, Yvonne Spies, Herman Vijlbrief, Alex J. van ’t Hul, Daisy J. A. Janssen, Martijn A. Spruit and Anouk W. Vaes
Additional contact information
Jeannet M. Delbressine: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Felipe V. C. Machado: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Yvonne M. J. Goërtz: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Maarten Van Herck: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Roy Meys: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Sarah Houben-Wilke: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Chris Burtin: REVAL—Rehabilitation Research Center, BIOMED—Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
Frits M. E. Franssen: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Yvonne Spies: Lung Foundation Netherlands, 3818 LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Herman Vijlbrief: Lung Foundation Netherlands, 3818 LE Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Alex J. van ’t Hul: Department of Pulmonary Disease, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Daisy J. A. Janssen: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Martijn A. Spruit: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands
Anouk W. Vaes: Department of Research and Development, Ciro, 6085 NM Horn, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: Background: A subgroup of patients recovering from COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms, decreased quality of life, increased dependency on others for personal care and impaired performance of activities of daily living. However, the long-term effects of COVID-19 on physical activity (PA) in this subgroup of patients with persistent symptoms remain unclear. Methods: Demographics, self-reported average time spent walking per week, as well as participation in activities pre-COVID-19 and after three and six months of follow-up were assessed in members of online long-COVID-19 peer support groups. Results: Two hundred thirty-nine patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were included (83% women, median (IQR) age: 50 (39–56) years). Patients reported a significantly decreased weekly walking time after three months of follow-up (three months: 60 (15–120) min. vs. pre-COVID-19: 120 (60–240) min./week; p < 0.05). Six months after the onset of symptoms walking time was still significantly lower compared to pre-COVID-19 but significantly increased compared to three months of follow-up (three months: 60 (15–120) min. vs. six months: 90 (30–150) min.; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients who experience persistent symptoms after COVID-19 may still demonstrate a significantly decreased walking time six months after the onset of symptoms. More research is needed to investigate long-term consequences and possible treatment options to guide patients during the recovery fromCOVID-19.

Keywords: Corona; exercise; persistent symptoms; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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