Pulmonary Function in Post-COVID-19 Women: A Randomized Trial on Circuit Training with Aerobic, Strength and Breathing Exercise

Resumen

Objectives: While most patients with corona virus disease (COVID-19) recover without long-term effects, some experience post-COVID-19 syndromes that cause persistent physical impairments, including impaired lung function. reduced. This study aims to evaluate the effects of combined respiratory and concurrent exercises on lung function in women with post-COVID-19 syndromes. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 60 women with post-COVID-19 symptoms, assigned to 8-week, three-times-weekly, 50-minute exercise at 65-75% of maximum heart rate. Lung functions and oxygen saturation were measured using the COSMED Pony spirometer before and after the program. Split-plot repeated measures ANOVA was used to calculate time, treatment, and interaction effects, followed by effect size calculations with Cohen's test. Results: The study revealed significant time effects for all measures except tidal volume. The treatment effects favored the exercise group in Vital Force Capacity (FVC), Expiratory Ventilation Force 1 second (FEV1) and Maximum Respiratory Rate (MRf). Interaction effects were demonstrated on FVC and peak expiratory flow (PEF), indicating that improvements occurred only in the treatment group. Effect size calculation indicated significant improvements in all measures excluding FEV1/FVC% and tidal volume in the exercise group, while only in FVC and MVV in the control group. Conclusion: This study highlights the effectiveness of exercise in improving lung function post-COVID-19