Autonomic Function Recovery and Physical Activity Levels in Post-COVID-19 Young Adults after Immunization: An Observational Follow-Up Case-Control Study

Ana Paula Coelho Figueira Freire (), Shaan Amin, Fabio Santos Lira, Ana Elisa von Ah Morano, Telmo Pereira, Manuel-João Coelho-E-Silva, Armando Caseiro, Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro, Vanessa Ribeiro Dos Santos, Osmar Marchioto Júnior, Ricardo Aurino Pinho and Bruna Spolador de Alencar Silva
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Ana Paula Coelho Figueira Freire: Department of Health Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA
Shaan Amin: Department of Health Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA
Fabio Santos Lira: Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-900, Brazil
Ana Elisa von Ah Morano: Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-900, Brazil
Telmo Pereira: Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, CIDAF, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Manuel-João Coelho-E-Silva: Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, CIDAF, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Armando Caseiro: Polytechnic of Coimbra, ESTESC, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro: Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-900, Brazil
Vanessa Ribeiro Dos Santos: Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-900, Brazil
Osmar Marchioto Júnior: Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-900, Brazil
Ricardo Aurino Pinho: Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidade Catolica Do Parana, Curitiba 80215-901, Brazil
Bruna Spolador de Alencar Silva: Exercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Postgraduate Program in Movement Sciences, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Presidente Prudente 19060-900, Brazil

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has detrimental multi-system consequences. Symptoms may appear during the acute phase of infection, but the literature on long-term recovery of young adults after mild to moderate infection is lacking. Heart rate variability (HRV) allows for the observation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since physical activity (PA) can help improve ANS modulation, investigating factors that can influence HRV outcomes after COVID-19 is essential to advancements in care and intervention strategies. Clinicians may use this research to aid in the development of non-medication interventions. At baseline, 18 control (CT) and 20 post-COVID-19 (PCOV) participants were observed where general anamnesis was performed, followed by HRV and PA assessment. Thus, 10 CT and 7 PCOV subjects returned for follow-up (FU) evaluation 6 weeks after complete immunization (two doses) and assessments were repeated. Over the follow-up period, a decrease in sympathetic (SNS) activity (mean heart rate: p = 0.0024, CI = −24.67–−3.26; SNS index: p = 0.0068, CI = −2.50–−0.32) and increase in parasympathetic (PNS) activity (mean RR: p = 0.0097, CI = 33.72–225.51; PNS index: p = 0.0091, CI = −0.20–1.47) were observed. At follow-up, HRV was not different between groups ( p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were observed in PA between moments and groups. This study provides evidence of ANS recovery after SARS-CoV-2 insult in young adults over a follow-up period, independent of changes in PA.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; exercise; autonomic nervous system; sympathetic nervous system; parasympathetic nervous system; COVID-19 vaccination; post-acute sequelae of COVID-19; communicable diseases (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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