Cardiovascular response to body positioning following sub-maximal exercise test among long-COVID individuals

Abstract

This study aimed to observe the effect of cardiovascular response to body positioning after cardiopulmonary exercise testing in post covid individuals. Ninety post covid participants (age group 18-45) were assigned into four groups: standing, sitting, supine, and prone position. All participants were assessed cardiovascular response, VO2max baseline, post exercise in standing, sitting, supine and prone by using pulse oximeter, digital sphygmomanometer, polar heart rate and Borg scale. In SpO2, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate, there was no significant difference between the groups at pre-exercise. However, a significant difference was observed at 1 min post-exercise and at 3 min post-exercise. As for systolic blood pressure, there was no significant difference between the groups at pre-exercise and at 1 min post-exercise, but a significant difference was noted at 3 min post-exercise. The findings of this study suggest that, when comparing standing, sitting, supine, and prone positions, the prone position exhibited faster recovery in terms of oxygen saturation and rate of perceived exertion, while the supine position showed quicker recovery in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, individuals with long-COVID symptoms were observed to have a lower VO2max.