The effect of 8 weeks of combined training during recovery on NLR and platelet count of people recovering from Covid-19 disease

Impaired Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) index and blood platelet count and its persistence are one of the complications of Covid-19 disease. Exercise with appropriate metabolic and mechanical pressure (combined training) is a regulatory factor for the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) index and increases platelets. The aimed of this study was to investigated the effect of a combined training course during the recovery period on the NLR index and platelets of a patient’s recovery from Covid-19 disease.

27 recuperate individuals from Covid-19 disease (with a mean age of 35±7 years and BMI of 26.48 ± 3.18 kg/m2) by the matching method in two groups of combined training (N=14) and control group (N=13) were located. Exercises group performed combined exercises 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Before the first training session and 24 hours after the last training session of the fourth and eighth weeks, blood samples were taken from the subjects. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test was used for examining data at the significance level of P<0.05.

The level of NLR index and blood platelets after 8 weeks of combined training, although there was a partial improvement, they were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Bonferroni test showed that the effect of time between all weeks was significant (P<0.05). Also, changes in weight and BMI were not significant (P>0.05).

It seems that combined sports training can to some extent boost and rev the return of the body's immune system to its normal state in people who have recovered from Covid-19.