2021 Volume 51 Issue 1 Pages 59-62
Purpose: The impact of cessation of functional training-specific rehabilitation on physical fitness due to the COVID-19 emergency was investigated.
Participants: A total of 83 participants who were required to cease exercise therapy were included. They were divided into the following 3 groups for a comparison: 17 who did not exercise during the cessation period (group I); 46 who exercised or walked twice a week (group II); and 20 who exercised or walked daily (group III).
Results: There were no significant differences in age or sex and between the 3 groups. No significant differences were observed between the 3 groups in body weight, skeletal muscle index score, body fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, grip strength, or walk speed prior to cessation of therapy. Both the skeletal muscle index score and strength showed a reduction in group I. Grip strength showed a significant reduction in group I in comparison with in group III. The 5-meter walk speed showed a significant decrease in group I compared to in groups II and III.
Conclusion: These results indicate that alternative exercise routines should be prepared for patients no longer able to undergo exercise therapy due to the danger of re-spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
