[Changes in respiratory function and physical performance in middle-aged and old inpatients recovering from COVID-19...

Changes in respiratory and physical performance in geriatric inpatients recovering from COVID-19 are of interest for rehabilitation interventions. 56 inpatients (67% women), average age 64±11 years recovering from COVID-19 underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation program (16,9±3,8 days). After the rehabilitation program, the patients showed an improvement in respiratory function: voluntary breath-holding after inhalation - by 19% (p=0,006), breath-holding after exhalation - by 25% (p=0,026), lungs computed tomography (p<0,001); physical performance: handgrip strength - by 14% (p=0,083), preferred walking speed - by 80% (p=0,025); exercise tolerance: distance walked until the first signs of fatigue - by 227% (p<0,001), resting heart rate - by 1% (p=0,011). The interaction of rehabilitation time and patient sex was statically nonsignificant across all variables of interest. The rates of changes in respiratory function and physical performance were significant and exceeded similar changes recorded in healthy old people who begin an exercise program. However, in absolute values, respiratory function and physical performance values after the rehabilitation were lower than reference values for this age group. These results can be valuable for clinicians when designing a rehabilitation program for geriatric patients recovering from COVID-19.