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Physical Fitness Differences, Amenable to Hypoxia-Driven and Sarcopenia Pathophysiology, between Sleep Apnea and COVID-19

Author

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  • Vasileios T. Stavrou

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • George D. Vavougios

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Stylianos Boutlas

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Konstantinos N. Tourlakopoulos

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Eirini Papayianni

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Kyriaki Astara

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Ilias T. Stavrou

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Zoe Daniil

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

  • Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis

    (Laboratory of Cardio-Pulmonary Testing and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 4100 Larissa, Greece)

Abstract

Handgrip strength is an indirect indicator of physical fitness that is used in medical rehabilitation for its potential prognostic value. An increasing number of studies indicate that COVID-19 survivors experience impaired physical fitness for months following hospitalization. The aim of our study was to assess physical fitness indicator differences with another prevalent and hypoxia-driven disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). Our findings showed differences between post-COVID-19 and OSAS groups in cardiovascular responses, with post-COVID-19 patients exhibiting higher values for heart rate and in mean arterial blood pressure. Oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) was lower in post-COVID-19 patients during a six-minute walking test (6MWT), whereas the ΔSpO 2 (the difference between the baseline to end of the 6MWT) was higher compared to OSAS patients. In patients of both groups, statistically significant correlations were detected between handgrip strength and distance during the 6MWT, anthropometric characteristics, and body composition parameters. In our study, COVID-19 survivors demonstrated a long-term reduction in muscle strength compared to OSAS patients. Lower handgrip strength has been independently associated with a prior COVID-19 hospitalization. The differences in muscle strength and oxygenation could be attributed to the abrupt onset of the disorder, which does not allow compensatory mechanisms to act effectively. Targeted rehabilitation focusing on such residual impairments may thus be indispensable within the setting of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasileios T. Stavrou & George D. Vavougios & Stylianos Boutlas & Konstantinos N. Tourlakopoulos & Eirini Papayianni & Kyriaki Astara & Ilias T. Stavrou & Zoe Daniil & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis, 2022. "Physical Fitness Differences, Amenable to Hypoxia-Driven and Sarcopenia Pathophysiology, between Sleep Apnea and COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-9, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:2:p:669-:d:720010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vasileios T. Stavrou & Kyriaki Astara & Zoe Daniil & Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis & Konstantinos Kalabakas & Dimitrios Karagiannis & George Basdekis, 2020. "The Reciprocal Association between Fitness Indicators and Sleep Quality in the Context of Recent Sport Injury," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-9, July.
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    1. Claire Colas & Yann Le Berre & Marie Fanget & Angélique Savall & Martin Killian & Ivan Goujon & Pierre Labeix & Manon Bayle & Léonard Féasson & Frederic Roche & David Hupin, 2023. "Physical Activity in Long COVID: A Comparative Study of Exercise Rehabilitation Benefits in Patients with Long COVID, Coronary Artery Disease and Fibromyalgia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-14, August.

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