Respiratory function rehabilitation in individuals with Covid-19: swimming exercise

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Understanding the impact of swimming exercises on post-Covid-19 respiratory function is crucial for optimizing recovery strategies in affected individuals. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of 8-week swimming exercises on respiratory function parameters in adult individuals who have had Covid-19 disease. Material and Methods. Sixteen male students, aged 19-21, voluntarily participated in the study. Eight participants were assigned to the experimental group (EG), and eight to the control group (CG), all of whom were students of the Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University. The EG underwent an 8-week swimming exercise program conducted at the Bingöl Youth and Sports swimming pool (25 meters), three days a week. The CG was not involved in any exercise regimen. Pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF) were conducted using a Cosmed Pony FXdel 2016 spirometer, one day before and one day after the exercise program for both EG and CG. Data analysis was performed using Independent Samples and Paired Samples T tests in SPSS 25, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results. A statistically significant increase in respiratory FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEF function values was observed in the experimental group (EG) after the exercise intervention (p < 0.05). This increase was observed when comparing these values to their pre-exercise measurements. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in respiratory function results before and after exercise in the control group (CG) (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The findings of this study highlight the therapeutic potential of an 8-week swimming exercise program in significantly enhancing respiratory function among adult individuals who have previously contracted Covid-19. These results offer valuable insights for the development of post-Covid-19 rehabilitation protocols, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise, such as swimming, in the recovery process.