28.03.2024 – 10:46
German University for Prevention and Health Management
Saarbrücken (ots)
In a joint scientific study, the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) and the Saarland University Hospital (UKS) examined the effects of an eight-week individualized fitness training on post-COVID fatigue and health-related quality of life. The results and the course of the study, which was carried out in fitness and health facilities in Saarland, were presented on March 27th at the Saar sports campus. The results show that individualized fitness training can make an important contribution to disease management in post-COVID syndrome.
According to the WHO, 10 to 20 percent of adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 still have symptoms weeks and months after infection. If these symptoms last longer than twelve weeks, it is called post-COVID syndrome. Those affected often suffer from severe and persistent tiredness (so-called fatigue) as well as a limitation in physical performance. Despite numerous research approaches, there is still no known standard therapy for the disease. The treatment guidelines for post-COVID syndrome therefore specify the therapeutic goal of symptom relief and recommend, among other things, controlled instructions for physical activity or dosed physical training that are adapted to individual resilience. However, there is little scientific knowledge about the specific design and how post-COVID sufferers can be optimally cared for.
A study by the DHfPG and the UKS therefore examined the extent to which physical training can help in coping with the disease and has an impact on the main symptoms of fatigue and the health-related quality of life of those affected. The study was supported by the Saarland Ministry of Health and the Association for Prevention and Health in Saarland (PuGiS e. V.) on behalf of the statutory health insurance companies. On March 27th, the course and results of the study were presented at the Saar sports campus (formerly the Hermann Neuberger sports school).
From recruiting to training in the studios – the course of your studies
Subjects were recruited via public media, a specially set up website and, in particular, with the support of the Saarland General Practitioners Association. People aged 18 to 79 who had experienced persistent fatigue after a SARS-CoV-2 infection were eligible to take part. Before the start of the study, a medical examination was carried out to ensure general resilience. The subjects were assigned to either the intervention or the control group. The training group completed individualized strength and endurance training tailored to their current performance over a total of eight training weeks. The changes after the training intervention were compared with the data from the control group, which initially maintained its everyday life and only then completed the training.
The study was implemented in 19 health facilities in Saarland, so that those affected could be offered an offer close to home. The training took place under the supervision of qualified specialist staff who were trained in advance by the study management.
Groundbreaking study results
The scientific leaders of the study, SR Prof. Dr. med Jürgen Rissland (UKS) and Prof. Dr. Arne Morsch (DHfPG), presented the first study results at the Saar sports campus. A total of 118 post-COVID sufferers were included in the evaluation. The results of the study showed that individualized fitness training led to significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life. “We were able to determine that the training resulted in a significant reduction in fatigue symptoms and an improvement in mental and physical health in the training group compared to the control group,” said Rissland. An improvement in physical performance was also observed.
The scientists involved emphasized that in post-COVID syndrome, adapting the training load to the individual symptoms and personal requirements plays a crucial role. “Post-COVID sufferers with fatigue need to be introduced to physical stress slowly to ensure the right training dose. It was therefore crucial for us to give each participant an individualized and symptom-oriented training recommendation,” said Morsch. To ensure this is successful, the test subjects provided information about their daily fatigue on their smartphone before each training session and received daily training recommendations based on this. This individualized approach and close monitoring ensured the consistent implementation and safety of the training. “We were pleased to note that our intervention, which was geared towards the needs and possibilities of the individual, did not lead to a worsening of symptoms or quality of life for those affected. This relieves them and their interest groups of an important concern,” said Rissland.
Saarland study as a pioneer
The study conducted by DHfPG and UKS is the first to examine the benefits of individualized fitness training in post-COVID conditions under everyday conditions, which increases the significance and transferability of the results into practice. Based on these results, important conclusions can be drawn for training therapy. “With our results, we are taking an important step towards individual and evidence-based training recommendations for post-COVID syndrome,” says Morsch. In order to achieve this goal, the data will now be further analyzed and then shared with experts and those affected.
The event at the Saar sports campus was opened with a welcoming speech by State Secretary Bettina Altesleben from the Saarland Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Women and Health. Head of study Prof. Dr. med. In his contribution, Johannes Jäger from the General Medicine Center in Homburg emphasized the importance of the study for the comprehensive care of those affected by post-COVID and thanked the fitness and health facilities involved for the professional implementation of the study specifications. The first chairman of the Employers’ Association of German Fitness and Health Facilities e. V. (DSSV) Prof. Dr. Thomas Wessinghage emphasized the importance of the insights gained for the fitness and health industry and moderated the event.
Press contact:
Annabelle Barthel
German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG)
Tel.: 0681 6855 186
[email protected]
Original content from: German University for Prevention and Health Management, transmitted by news aktuell