Comparing the Effects of Endurance and Resistance Training Programs on some Pulmonary, Functional, and Quality of Life Indicators in Patients with COVID-19 Discharged from Hospital

The present study investigated the effect of six weeks of endurance and resistance training on pulmonary indices, physical performance, and quality of life in COVID-19 patients after discharge from hospital.

Thirty six patients with COVID-19 (mean age: 38.76±0.98 years, mean weight: 81.86±2.88 kg) were selected. At the beginning and end of the study, pulmonary (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and MVV), physical (6-minute walk test), quality of life (SF-36), and anthropometry tests were performed. The patients were divided into three groups: Endurance training (45 minutes at 60-75% estimated HR), Resistance training (45 minutes at 40-70% of I-RM), and controls. The intervention was conducted for 6 weeks (3 sessions). One-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis.

Findings indicated a significant increase in FEV1 (P=0.029), FVC (P=0.047), FEV1/FVC (P=0.043) in the endurance training group compared to the control group, while difference was observed in MVV (P=0.041) and FEV1/FVC (P=0.022) between endurance training and resistance training groups. The 6-minute test distance increased in the endurance training (P=0.0001) and resistance training (P=0.001) groups compared to the control group, but no difference was observed between the training groups (P=0.48). Endurance and resistance training programs induced significant improvements in physical performance (P=0.024 and P=0.09, respectively) and general health (P=0.022 and P=0.015, respectively) dimensions compared to the control group.

Moderate-intensity endurance training can improve pulmonary function, physical performance, and quality of life in patients with COVID-19 after discharge from hospital and can be used in rehabilitation programs of these patients.