Circuit Training Program in Post COVID-19 Patients

The objective of this study will be to compare the effects of Circuit Training Program on Cardiopulmonary Parameters and Functional Capacity in Post COVID 19 patients. This study will be a Randomized Clinical trial. Data will be collected from Boston Physiotherapy and Wellness Clinic, Lahore. One group will receive Circuit Training and other group will receive Aerobic Exercises. All subjects will receive a total of three treatment sessions per week over the period of 12 weeks. Outcome will be measured at baseline, 6th week and 12th week with 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE 6-20), Spirometer for PFT and Post-Covid 10 Functional Status Scale.The data will be analyse using SPSS v 25.

Coronavirus disease (Covid19) caused by SARs Cov-2 is primarily a respiratory condition but it also has many extrapulmonary manifestations leading to persistent symptoms of fatigue, weakness, reduced functional status, aerobic capacity and strength. Patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities have varying severity of disease and increased risk of mortality and morbidity. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation has been shown to improve the functional capacity and quality of life of patients with cardiac dysfunction and chronic pulmonary conditions in acute, sub-acute and chronic stages of disease. Different modes of exercises including aerobic, resistance, combined aerobic and resistance programs known as circuit training at varying frequencies, intensities and doses are given to these patients according to their symptoms.

Circuit Training program consists of both aerobic and resistance exercises hence it ensures both endurance and strength training during the exercise session. Some researchers have shown that circuit-based resistance training, where lighter loads are lifted with minimal rest, is very effective for increasing maximum oxygen consumption, maximum pulmonary ventilation, functional capacity, and strength while improving body composition Thus, circuit training is a time-efficient training modality that can elicit demonstrable improvements in health and physical fitness.Combined aerobic and resistance training improves peak VO2, muscle strength and HRQoL and should be considered as a component of care of patients of heart failure. The combination of resistance and aerobic modalities has been shown to be the best form of training for individuals with pulmonary conditions like COPD as well as being recommended by international guidelines for the clinical treatment of these patients in rehabilitation programs.

The same principles apply to management of Covid19 patients with inpatient rehabilitation given to acute cases while increasing evidence shows that rehabilitation post-recovery is beneficial to promote early return to function. These studies focus mostly either on aerobic training or resistance exercises; hence this study is aimed towards studying the effects of Circuit Training in post Covid19 population to improve the functional parameters.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Middle age adults (40-60 years), medically stable, but previously diagnosed with cardiac diseases.
2. Patients who have recovered recently from Covid-19 (6-8 weeks post-discharge).
3. Oxygen saturation levels are maintained above 92% at rest and during exercise.
4. Heart Rate should not be elevated more than 20 beats per minute as per the calculated heart rate range (if the patient is on beta-blockers, that should be kept in consideration)
5. Systolic blood pressure should be ≥90 mmHg and ≤180 mmHg.
6. Symptoms of dyspnea: Borg scale \>4
7. Fatigue: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) \>11-12

Exclusion Criteria

1. There are signs of active infection/systemic illness going on, presence of fatigue and breathlessness even at rest.
2. Participant is febrile (body temperature \>38.6degree Celsius)
3. Oxygen Saturation levels below \<93%.
4. Systolic Blood pressure \<90 mmHg or \>180mmHg. -