Physical Activity and Physical Function One Year After Hospital Discharge for COVID-19

Background: Immediately after discharge from hospital, COVID-19 patients have poor physical function and impaired performance in activities of daily living. Persisting symptoms and cognitive impairments have been reported, but the long-term impact on objectively measured physical activity (PA) in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 is not clear. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to compare objectively measured PA and physical function 12 months post discharge in patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 with age- and sex-matched healthy controls and to elucidate the impact of ICU admission on these outcomes. PA was objectively assessed using accelerometry in patients, healthy controls, and in a subset of partners of patients. Additionally, lung function, physical function (six-minute walk distance (6 MWD) and isometric quadriceps and handgrip force), symptom experience, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were evaluated in patients with and without ICU admission. Results: Included in the study were 101 patients (60 ± 10 years, 69% male), 36 healthy controls (60 ± 9 years, 58% male), and 14 partners (55 ± 8 years, 21% male). Daily step count and movement intensity (MI) during walking in patients were significantly lower compared with healthy controls (6726 ± 328 vs. 8155 ± 555 n.day^-1, p = 0.03 and 1.99 ± 0.04 vs. 2.21 ± 0.07 min/s².day^-1, p = 0.005). PA levels of patients and their partners were comparable. Physical function, symptom experience, HRQoL, and PA levels were comparable in patients with and without ICU admission (p > 0.05). Daily step count was weakly positively associated with 6 MWD (r = 0.30). Conclusions: One year post discharge, patients had lower PA levels than healthy controls. ICU admission did not affect physical function, symptoms, HRQoL or activity levels.