Effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises on ventilatory function and quality of life in men with chronic post-COVID pulmonary fibrosis: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Different exercises have gained much interest for managing post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PC19-PF).

Objective

To compare the impacts of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises on ventilatory function, lung fibrosis, exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL) in men with chronic PC19-PF.

Methods

Eighty males with chronic PC19-PF aged 40–60 were randomly assigned to four groups: aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), AE/RE, and a control group. Outcomes included forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), fibrosis grade by computed tomography, exercise capacity using the estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max), dyspnea using the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale, and QoL using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).

Results

For all outcome measures, significant group by time interactions were noted (p < 0.05). The AE and AE/RE groups demonstrated significant improvements in all outcomes compared to controls (p < 0.05), with no notable differences between the two groups, except for the estimated VO₂max, in favor of AE (p = 0.04). Compared to controls, RE significantly improved the estimated VO₂max, dyspnea (MRC scale), and QoL (p < 0.05) with no effects on FVC, DLCO, or fibrosis grade (p > 0.05). In addition, compared to RE, both AE and AE/RE significantly improved all outcomes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In men with chronic PC19-PF, both AE and AE/RE could similarly improve ventilatory function, lung fibrosis, dyspnea, and QoL, with AE improving exercise capacity most.