THE USE OF NORDIC WALKINIG IN PROGRAMMING PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM LONG POST-COVID-19 SYNDROME

M. Hagner-Derengowska¹, A. Szczygielska-Babiuch^2,3, K. Makulec⁴, A. Alghwiri⁵, D. Zocholl⁶

¹Nicolaus Copericus University, Toruń, Poland, ²Krakow Univesity of Health Promotion, Kraków, Poland, ³Specialist Hospital. J. Dietl, Cracov, Poland, ⁴Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, Cracov, Poland, ⁵University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, ⁶University of Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, Poland

Background: The analysis of the impact of rehabilitation and training programs on the functional (physical) and mental state of patients after Covid-19 is, in the light of global and national research, innovative, for instance due to the fact that we are dealing with a new disease entity defined at the end of 2019. Physical exercise for people with a history of Covid 19, so far the only therapeutic option in the "post-covid syndrome", may have a significant impact on the patient's level of fitness in long-term follow-up.

Purpose: The main aim of the study was to assess the impact of the Nordic Walking training and rehabilitation program on supporting full recovery and professional activity of people after Covid-19, and to analyze the impact of various training and rehabilitation forms (including Nordic Walking) on changes in parameters in the field of cardiovascular adaptation, respiratory system and other factors influencing and responsible for the proper functioning of human homeostasis.

Methods: In the study group of 60 patients with Long Covid symptoms, a 6-week walking program was carried out, in which half of the participants underwent traditional walking training, and the other half underwent Nordic Walking training. In order to assess which of the forms is more favorable for the study group, selected functional respiratory and circulatory parameters (spirometry, exercise capacity, level of physical fitness) were assessed. The research was carried out twice, at the beginning and at the end of the program.

Results: The initial results of the physical fitness level in both groups were similar, with the lowest values for lower body strength, upper body flexibility and 6MWT capacity. On the other hand, in the respiratory parameters, the parameters were at the lower limit of the normal range. After completing the training, statistically significant differences (p <0.05) in the increase in the level of flexibility of the upper body (+ 22.5%) in the group practicing Nordic Wlaking were observed. The increase in performance was similar in both groups.

Conclusions: Nordic Walking training had a positive and pleiotropic effect on the parameters tested.

Implications: Post COVID rehabilitation programming must be based on a complete diagnosis of exercise tolerance.

Funding acknowledgements: Vita Labo w Bydgoszczy, Klinika IKAR w Bydgoszczy, Meden-Inmed

Keywords:
aerobic effort
Nordic Walking
physical fitness

Topics:
COVID-19
Cardiorespiratory
Community based rehabilitation

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: CM UMK

Committee: KB

Ethics number: 361/2021