Role of Body Mass and Physical Activity in Autonomic Function Modulation on Post-COVID-19 Condition: An Observational
Ana Paula Coelho Figueira Freire1,2, Fabio Santos Lira3, Ana Elisa von Ah Morano3
1Department of Health Sciences, Central Washington University Ellensburg, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA.
Insights
COVID-19 alters autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in young adults, increasing sympathetic activity and decreasing parasympathetic activity. These effects are worsened by overweight/obesity and physical inactivity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can impact the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function.
- Persistent ANS dysregulation may contribute to the multiorgan effects observed post-COVID-19.
- Investigating ANS responses in relation to body mass index (BMI) and physical activity in post-COVID-19 individuals is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze autonomic function in young adults following mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- To assess the influence of BMI and physical activity levels on ANS function in individuals with and without a history of COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional observational study design.
- Recruitment of post-SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and healthy controls.
- Assessment of ANS through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, alongside BMI and physical activity evaluation.
Main Results:
- Post-COVID-19 individuals exhibited increased sympathetic nervous system activity (stress index, p = 0.0273) and reduced parasympathetic activity (p < 0.05).
- Overweight/obese participants with a history of COVID-19 showed significantly lower parasympathetic activity and global variability compared to non-obese controls (p < 0.05).
- Physically inactive individuals post-COVID-19 displayed higher sympathetic activity than active controls, with lower parasympathetic activity compared to active controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 significantly alters autonomic nervous system function in young adults.
- Overweight/obesity and physical inactivity levels modulate these ANS changes in the post-COVID-19 population.
Abstract:
The harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken, and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in the post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p = 0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p < 0.05). Physically inactive subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in the control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in the control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by overweight/obesity and physical activity levels.
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