Other Titles
The Impact of A Moderate-to-High Physical Activity Level on Long COVID Symptoms, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Heart Rate Recovery, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study [Title Slide]
Abstract
Background: Long COVID has emerged as a significant global health concern, leading to functional impairments, sleep disturbances, and a reduced quality of life (QoL). Moderate-to-high levels of physical activity (PA) have been shown to reduce the risk of health complications, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance patient-reported outcomes in chronic diseases. However, limited evidence exists regarding its impact on long COVID symptoms, sleep quality, and QoL in individuals with long COVID.
Objective: To investigate whether a moderate-to-high level of PA level associates with long COVID symptoms, sleep quality, and QoL in individuals with long COVID.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an integrated outpatient clinic for post-COVID-19 in a medical center in northern Taiwan. A convenience sample of patients diagnosed with long COVID was recruited. The main outcome measures, including PA levels, sleep quality, and QoL, were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (Short Form), respectively, and compared between the low and moderate-to-high PA level groups. In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption, VO2 peak) and heart rate recovery were also evaluated through graded exercise testing.
Results: The participants with a mean age of 48.7 years had a mean duration of post-COVID-19 symptoms of 12.3 weeks. Individuals with moderate-to-high PA levels had a significantly lower prevalence of shortness of breath, higher VO2peak, improved 2-minute heart rate recovery, better sleep quality, and higher QoL compared to those with low PA levels. The multivariate regression model showed that PA level was not associated with QoL; however, after adjusting for potential covariates, cardiorespiratory fitness and sleep quality emerged as significant predictors of QoL in individuals with long COVID.
Conclusions: The findings offer valuable insights into rehabilitation practices for long COVID patients, emphasizing the importance of maintaining moderate-to-high levels of PA in alleviating the long-term negative effects of COVID-19. Improving cardiorespiratory fitness and sleep quality should be prioritized in the clinical management of long COVID patients to enhance their QoL.
Notes
References:
1. Alkodaymi MS, Omrani OA, Fawzy NA, et al. Prevalence of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome symptoms at different follow-up periods: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2022;28(5):657-666.
2. Pang JCY, Chan ELS, Lau HMC, et al. The impacts of physical activity on psychological and behavioral problems, and changes in physical activity, sleep and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic in preschoolers, children, and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pediatr. 2023 Mar;11:1015943. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2023.1015943
3. Awick EA, Ehlers DK, Aguiñaga S, Daugherty AM, Kramer AF, McAuley E. Effects of a randomized exercise trial on physical activity, psychological distress and quality of life in older adults. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2017 Nov;49:44-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.06.005
4. Altena E, Baglioni C, Espie CA, et al. Dealing with sleep problems during home confinement due to the COVID-19 outbreak: Practical recommendations from a task force of the European CBT-I Academy. J Sleep Res. 2020 Aug;29(4):e13052. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13052
5. Tartibian B, Khayat SMA, Maleki BH, Chehrazi M. The Effects of Exercise Training on Recovery of Biochemical and Hematological Outcomes in Patients Surviving COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Assessor-Blinded Trial. Sports Med Open. 2022 Dec 23;8(1):152. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00546-4
Sigma Membership
Lambda Beta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Implementation Science, Public and Community Health
Recommended Citation
Lin, Chia-Huei, "Physical Activity Level Associates With Long COVID Symptoms and Quality of Life" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 83.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/83
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Physical Activity Level Associates With Long COVID Symptoms and Quality of Life
Seattle, Washington, USA
Background: Long COVID has emerged as a significant global health concern, leading to functional impairments, sleep disturbances, and a reduced quality of life (QoL). Moderate-to-high levels of physical activity (PA) have been shown to reduce the risk of health complications, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance patient-reported outcomes in chronic diseases. However, limited evidence exists regarding its impact on long COVID symptoms, sleep quality, and QoL in individuals with long COVID.
Objective: To investigate whether a moderate-to-high level of PA level associates with long COVID symptoms, sleep quality, and QoL in individuals with long COVID.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an integrated outpatient clinic for post-COVID-19 in a medical center in northern Taiwan. A convenience sample of patients diagnosed with long COVID was recruited. The main outcome measures, including PA levels, sleep quality, and QoL, were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (Short Form), respectively, and compared between the low and moderate-to-high PA level groups. In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption, VO2 peak) and heart rate recovery were also evaluated through graded exercise testing.
Results: The participants with a mean age of 48.7 years had a mean duration of post-COVID-19 symptoms of 12.3 weeks. Individuals with moderate-to-high PA levels had a significantly lower prevalence of shortness of breath, higher VO2peak, improved 2-minute heart rate recovery, better sleep quality, and higher QoL compared to those with low PA levels. The multivariate regression model showed that PA level was not associated with QoL; however, after adjusting for potential covariates, cardiorespiratory fitness and sleep quality emerged as significant predictors of QoL in individuals with long COVID.
Conclusions: The findings offer valuable insights into rehabilitation practices for long COVID patients, emphasizing the importance of maintaining moderate-to-high levels of PA in alleviating the long-term negative effects of COVID-19. Improving cardiorespiratory fitness and sleep quality should be prioritized in the clinical management of long COVID patients to enhance their QoL.
Description
This study examine whether a moderate-to-high level of PA level associates with long COVID symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in individuals with long COVID. The findings offer valuable insights into rehabilitation practices for long COVID patients, emphasizing the importance of maintaining moderate-to-high levels of PA in alleviating the long-term negative effects of COVID-19.