Why physical inactivity could be a symptom of long COVID

By Alice Clifford via SWNS

Physical inactivity could be a symptom of long COVID, a new study reveals.

COVID-19 survivors with at least one persistent symptom of the disease are 57 percent more likely to be inactive.

For those who suffer from five or more continual symptoms the odds of physical inactivity skyrockets by a staggering 138 percent.

According to the UK's Office of National Statistics, as of 1 October last year, around 2.1 million people were living in the UK with long COVID.

Long COVID sufferers carry symptoms for over four weeks after they were first diagnosed with the virus.

Early reports revealed that around three out of every four patients hospitalized with COVID-19 had at least one persistent symptom six months after they left the hospital.

The new study analyzed the data of 614 patients, with an average age of 56, who contracted the virus.

The patients were hospitalized between March and August 2020.

Of the group, 55 percent required intensive care and 37 percent had been intubated.

A check-up took place six to 11 months after they were discharged.

During the follow-up appointment, they were examined and interviewed to see how physically active they were and to assess other parts of their lifestyle.

Each patient also reported whether they had any symptoms associated with long COVID.

These symptoms included fatigue, breathlessness, severe muscle pain, taste and smell loss and memory impairment.

Participants were classified as physically inactive if they reported less than 150 minutes of at least moderately intense exercise per week.

Sixty percent of the participants were considered to be physically inactive.

Of these patients, 37 percent were smokers, 58 percent had high blood pressure, 35 percent had diabetes and 17 percent were obese.

Study author Dr. Hamilton Roschel, a coordinator of the University of São Paulo’s Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, said: “These are risk factors for severe COVID-19.

"They were expected to be frequent in the study because all the participants had been hospitalized.”

They found that people with one continuous symptom of the disease were 57 percent more likely to be inactive.

When five or more symptoms were reported, the odds of physical inactivity rose by 138 percent.

Dr. Roschel added: “The more symptoms, the higher the likelihood of physical inactivity.”

Certain symptoms associated with long COVID correlated very closely with physical inactivity.

The highest correlations were with breathlessness, hitting 132 percent, and fatigue at 101 percent.

Dr Roschel said: “It makes sense to assume that people with this condition experience more difficulty to maintain an active routine.

“But it’s also plausible that people with a sedentary lifestyle are more subject to these long-term symptoms after recovering from an acute infection.

“Our study doesn’t allow us to infer causality.”

The research led the team to question whether physical inactivity “itself may be considered a persistent symptom among COVID-19 survivors.”

Other research groups have thought the same.

One study found that 239 recovering patients reported walking significantly less six months after the symptoms started.

Another study revealed that hospitalized COVID-19 patients with more muscle strength and mass tended to stay in the hospital for less time.

One study from the US analyzed the physical activity history of 48,440 COVID-19 patients.

It showed that the risk of hospitalization, admission to the ICU and death was highest among those who were consistently inactive.

Dr. Roschel said: “Our latest study added information by describing specific correlations between physical inactivity and persistent symptoms of COVID-19.

“Future research should investigate this association in order to understand the underlying causes.”

Dr. Roschel added: “From a practical standpoint, the importance of physical activity during the pandemic is clearly demonstrated.

“There are cases in which people who have recovered from the disease should follow medical advice as to the precautions required when undertaking physical exercise, but an active lifestyle should be encouraged as a matter of public health.

“Sedentarism accounts for nine percent of all-cause deaths worldwide.”

He concluded: “Although this was a cross-sectional study, the findings underscore the importance of discussing and encouraging physical activity at all times, including during the pandemic.”

The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.