Title Autonomic Function Recovery and Physical Activity Levels in Post-COVID-19 Young Adults after Immunization: An Observational Follow-Up Case-Control Study.
Author Freire, Ana Paula Coelho Figueira; Amin, Shaan; Lira, Fabio Santos; Morano, Ana Elisa von Ah; Pereira, Telmo; Coelho-E-Silva, Manuel-Joao; Caseiro, Armando; Christofaro, Diego Giulliano Destro; Dos Santos, Vanessa Ribeiro; Junior, Osmar Marchioto; Pinho, Ricardo Aurino; Silva, Bruna Spolador de Alencar
Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health Publication Year/Month 2023-Jan
PMID 36767620 PMCID PMC9915325
Affiliation + expend 1.Department of Health Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has detrimental multi-system consequences. Symptoms may appear during the acute phase of infection, but the literature on long-term recovery of young adults after mild to moderate infection is lacking. Heart rate variability (HRV) allows for the observation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation post-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since physical activity (PA) can help improve ANS modulation, investigating factors that can influence HRV outcomes after COVID-19 is essential to advancements in care and intervention strategies. Clinicians may use this research to aid in the development of non-medication interventions. At baseline, 18 control (CT) and 20 post-COVID-19 (PCOV) participants were observed where general anamnesis was performed, followed by HRV and PA assessment. Thus, 10 CT and 7 PCOV subjects returned for follow-up (FU) evaluation 6 weeks after complete immunization (two doses) and assessments were repeated. Over the follow-up period, a decrease in sympathetic (SNS) activity (mean heart rate: p = 0.0024, CI = -24.67--3.26; SNS index: p = 0.0068, CI = -2.50--0.32) and increase in parasympathetic (PNS) activity (mean RR: p = 0.0097, CI = 33.72-225.51; PNS index: p = 0.0091, CI = -0.20-1.47) were observed. At follow-up, HRV was not different between groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were observed in PA between moments and groups. This study provides evidence of ANS recovery after SARS-CoV-2 insult in young adults over a follow-up period, independent of changes in PA.

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