Title: Relationship between physical activity level and disease severity in patients with covid-19

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive measures can reduce physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre-disease physical activity and current functional capacity in patients with and without the presence of pneumonia and oxygen requirement in Turkish survivors of COVID-19. Methods: Among the COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, 100 patients were selected. Data about pre-disease physical activity (by short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire), oxygen requirement and presence of pneumonia, and current functional capacity (by the 6-min walking test) were collected. Continuous and categorical variables were compared with the Mann– Whitney U and χ2 test, respectively (P<.05). Results: The pre-disease physical activity levels and current functional capacity of patients with pneumonia and oxygen requirement were significantly lower than patients without pneumonia and oxygen requirement (P<.05). However, there was no significant difference between males and females (P>0.05). Pneumonia and oxygen requirement was more common in the older adults (P<.05). Also, a significant correlation was found between age with pre-disease physical activity (r=.530, P=.000) and current functional capacity (r=−.346, P=.000) and pre-disease physical activity level with current functional capacity (r=.523, P=.001). Conclusion: The physical activity level may be related to the severity of COVID-19 disease.