Nordic Walking - The Effectiveness of a New Form of Exercise in Adults After COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The purpose of present study was investigating the effectivenes of Nordic walking exercise (NWE) on physical activity level, physical fitness level, dyspnea, fatigue, functional status, depression and life quality after COVID-19 undergoing home isolation.Thirty subjects were randomly assigned in NWE (n=15) and control group (n=15). NWE group performed NWE 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The control group was not given any exercise. For physical fitness level, upper-lower extremity muscular endurance (arm curl test- chair sit and stand test), lower aerobic (two minutes step test) and cardiopulmonary endurance (six minute walk test), flexibility (back scratch and sit and reach test), balance (time up and go test) was assessed. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to evaulate physical activity level. The anxiety-depression level was determined by Beck Depression Questionnaire. The dyspnea with Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), functional status with Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale (PCFS), fatigue with Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and quality of life with Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were determined. In NWE group, significant improvements were observed in upper-lower muscular extremity, lower aerobic, cardiopulmonary endurance, balance, mMRC, FSS, NHP energy, emotional reactions, sleep and total scores (p<0.05). Upper-lower muscular extremity, lower aerobic, cardiopulmonary endurance, balance, PCFS, IPAQ-SF walking and NHP energy scores were statistically different between groups in favor of NWE group (p< 0.05). NWE can be recommended physical activity program to improve physical health and functional status after COVID-19.