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Associations between Coronavirus and Immune Response, Cardiorespiratory Fitness Rehabilitation and Physical Activity: A Brief Report

Author

Listed:
  • Sandra Silva-Santos

    (Department of Sports, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro, 4500-708 Penafiel, Portugal
    CI-ISCE/ISCE Douro, 4500-708 Penafiel, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT-IPVC), Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4960-320 Viana do Castelo, Portugal)

  • António M. Monteiro

    (Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Tiago M. Barbosa

    (Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • José E. Teixeira

    (Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, 6300-559 Guarda, Portugal)

  • Luís Branquinho

    (Department of Sports, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro, 4500-708 Penafiel, Portugal
    CI-ISCE/ISCE Douro, 4500-708 Penafiel, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Ricardo Ferraz

    (Research Center in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Pedro Forte

    (Department of Sports, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro, 4500-708 Penafiel, Portugal
    CI-ISCE/ISCE Douro, 4500-708 Penafiel, Portugal
    Department of Sport Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

COVID-19 has serious effects on cardiorespiratory capacity. In this sense, physical activity has been identified as beneficial in the treatment of cardiorespiratory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive benefits. To date, no study has been found on cardiorespiratory capacity and rehabilitation in patients cured after COVID-19. Thus, this brief report aims to relate the benefits of physical activity to cardiorespiratory function after COVID-19. It is important to know how different levels of physical activity can be related to the different symptoms of COVID-19. In view of this, the objectives of this brief report were to: (1) explore the theoretical associations between COVID-19 symptoms and physical activity; (2) compare the cardiorespiratory function of non-COVID-19 participants and post-COVID-19 patients; and (3) propose a physical activity program to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness of post-COVID-19 patients. Thus, we note that moderate-intensity physical activity (i.e., walking) has a greater beneficial effect on immune function, whereas vigorous activity (i.e., marathon running) tends to temporarily reduce immune function through an imbalance of cytokine types I and II in the hours and days after exercise. However, there is no consensus in the literature in this regard, since other investigations suggest that high-intensity training can also be beneficial, not causing clinically relevant immunosuppression. Physical activity has been shown to be beneficial in improving the clinical conditions most frequently associated with severe COVID-19. Thus, it is possible to infer that physically active individuals seem to be less exposed to the dangers of severe COVID-19 compared to non-active individuals through the benefits of physical activity in strengthening the immune system and fighting infections. The current study demonstrates that physical activity appears to be beneficial in improving the clinical conditions most often associated with severe COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Silva-Santos & António M. Monteiro & Tiago M. Barbosa & José E. Teixeira & Luís Branquinho & Ricardo Ferraz & Pedro Forte, 2023. "Associations between Coronavirus and Immune Response, Cardiorespiratory Fitness Rehabilitation and Physical Activity: A Brief Report," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:5:p:4651-:d:1088945
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jia Yang & Xiang Li & Taiyu He & Fangyuan Ju & Ye Qiu & Zuguo Tian, 2022. "Impact of Physical Activity on COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-12, October.
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    3. Mengfei Li & Qianhui Wang & Jing Shen, 2022. "The Impact of Physical Activity on Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-17, May.
    4. Murray, Jennifer M. & Brennan, Sarah F. & French, David P. & Patterson, Christopher C. & Kee, Frank & Hunter, Ruth F., 2017. "Effectiveness of physical activity interventions in achieving behaviour change maintenance in young and middle aged adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 125-133.
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