Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Abstract Aim of the randomized controlled pilot study was to investigate general feasibility in terms of adherence to a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program in participants with persistent symptoms (fatigue, concentration problems, breathing problems or headache) > 12 months aft...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13905-4 |
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| author | Carina Emmel Oliver Bruder Niklas Keller Lukas Schipper Christoph Schneider Alexander Ferrauti Mirjam Frank Marcus Brinkmann Mareike Eißmann Thimo Wiewelhove Börge Schmidt |
| author_facet | Carina Emmel Oliver Bruder Niklas Keller Lukas Schipper Christoph Schneider Alexander Ferrauti Mirjam Frank Marcus Brinkmann Mareike Eißmann Thimo Wiewelhove Börge Schmidt |
| author_sort | Carina Emmel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Aim of the randomized controlled pilot study was to investigate general feasibility in terms of adherence to a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program in participants with persistent symptoms (fatigue, concentration problems, breathing problems or headache) > 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multiple symptom-related, psychosocial, spiroergometric and body composition parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examination. The intervention group underwent a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program. The control group kept their regular physical activity. Both groups maintained an online training diary. Data was evaluated descriptively using intention-to-treat, per protocol and as-treated analysis. Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention was limited, as a large number of participants in the intervention group did not strictly adhere to the training plan. Therefore, statements about the efficacy were restricted. However, there was some weak indication for efficacy of the intervention to reduce self-rated severity of symptoms and to improve overall wellbeing. In the present study, an unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention can be recommended only to a limited extend. The study results can be used to inform future studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of unsupervised aerobic exercise training programs in participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7a87b7d1bba74456bb95c45a69a1d119 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-7a87b7d1bba74456bb95c45a69a1d1192025-08-20T03:46:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-13905-4Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infectionCarina Emmel0Oliver Bruder1Niklas Keller2Lukas Schipper3Christoph Schneider4Alexander Ferrauti5Mirjam Frank6Marcus Brinkmann7Mareike Eißmann8Thimo Wiewelhove9Börge Schmidt10Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth-KrankenhausDepartment of Fitness and Health, IST University of Applied SciencesInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth-KrankenhausDepartment of Training & Exercise Science, Ruhr University BochumInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenDepartment of Cardiology and Angiology, Elisabeth-KrankenhausDepartment of Fitness and Health, IST University of Applied SciencesInstitute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-EssenAbstract Aim of the randomized controlled pilot study was to investigate general feasibility in terms of adherence to a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program in participants with persistent symptoms (fatigue, concentration problems, breathing problems or headache) > 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multiple symptom-related, psychosocial, spiroergometric and body composition parameters were collected at baseline and follow-up examination. The intervention group underwent a 12-week unsupervised aerobic exercise training program. The control group kept their regular physical activity. Both groups maintained an online training diary. Data was evaluated descriptively using intention-to-treat, per protocol and as-treated analysis. Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention was limited, as a large number of participants in the intervention group did not strictly adhere to the training plan. Therefore, statements about the efficacy were restricted. However, there was some weak indication for efficacy of the intervention to reduce self-rated severity of symptoms and to improve overall wellbeing. In the present study, an unsupervised aerobic exercise training intervention can be recommended only to a limited extend. The study results can be used to inform future studies designed to evaluate the efficacy of unsupervised aerobic exercise training programs in participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13905-4 |
| spellingShingle | Carina Emmel Oliver Bruder Niklas Keller Lukas Schipper Christoph Schneider Alexander Ferrauti Mirjam Frank Marcus Brinkmann Mareike Eißmann Thimo Wiewelhove Börge Schmidt Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection Scientific Reports |
| title | Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| title_full | Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| title_short | Feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection |
| title_sort | feasibility of an unsupervised aerobic exercise training program for participants with persistent symptoms after sars cov 2 infection |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13905-4 |
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