Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Neuromuscular Performance in Patients Recovered from COVID-19
Abstract
Objective
COVID-19 affects cardiorespiratory and muscular systems, causing dysfunctions that may persist after recovery from the acute infection and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular performance in these patients.
Methods
Patients recovered from mild (n=31) and severe (n=17) COVID-19 were evaluated and compared to healthy subjects (n=15). All volunteers underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test with simultaneous acquisition of electromyography (EMG). Power output, oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), pulse oxygen (O 2 Pulse), cardiovascular efficiency (ΔHR/ΔVO 2 ), ventilation (VE), breathing reserve (BR) and ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO 2 slope) were analyzed. From EMG, power output for type Ia and IIa activation as well as total neuromuscular efficiency (Δwatts/Δ%RMS) were determined.
Results
Patients with severe COVID-19 presented lower VO 2 , O 2 Pulse and VE than mild COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). No differences in ΔHR/ΔVO 2 , BR or VE/VCO 2 slope were observed among the groups (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Type IIa and IIb fibers were activated at lower power output in severe than in mild COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects (p < 0.05). Δwatts/Δ%RMS was lower in severe than in mild COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Patients recovered from severe COVID-19 present low cardiorespiratory fitness, activate glycolytic fibers at low power outputs, and show low neuromuscular efficiency; while patients recovered from mild COVID-19 do not present these sequels.
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