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Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercise in Women Recovering From COVID-19 Pneumonia
Sponsor: Hitit University
Summary
This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training and walking exercise on selected blood, respiratory, functional, dyspnea, sleep quality, and quality-of-life outcomes in women who had recovered from COVID-19-related lung inflammation/pneumonia. The study included women aged 20 to 45 years who had experienced COVID-19 with pneumonia, reported dyspnea, and had reduced quality of life. A total of 80 female participants were divided into four groups: respiratory muscle training plus walking exercise, respiratory muscle training alone, walking exercise alone, and a control group, with 20 participants in each group. Measurements were performed before and after the intervention period. The assessments included pulmonary function testing, maximal inspiratory pressure, the 6-minute walk test, the modified Borg scale for dyspnea, the Nottingham Health Profile, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and selected blood parameters. The study aimed to determine whether respiratory muscle training, walking exercise, or their combination could improve respiratory function, inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, dyspnea, sleep quality, quality of life, and blood-related parameters in this population.
Official title: Investigation of the Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training and Walking Exercises on Some Blood and Respiratory Parameters in Patients Recovering From COVID-19 Lung Inflammation
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
20 Years - 45 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2023-01-16
Completion Date
2023-05-29
Last Updated
2026-06-18
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Respiratory Muscle Training
Participants performed respiratory muscle training for 8 weeks using a pressure-threshold respiratory muscle training device. The training load was set at 50% of each participant's maximal inspiratory pressure. Training was performed 5 days per week, twice daily, with 30 breaths in each session. Maximal inspiratory pressure was reassessed weekly, and the training load was adjusted according to the updated value.
Walking Exercise
Participants performed a structured walking exercise program for 8 weeks. Walking exercise was performed 3 days per week for 40 minutes at an intensity corresponding to 40% based on the target heart rate method. Walking was performed either outdoors or on a treadmill at an approximate pace of 4 to 6 km/hour. Exercise intensity was monitored using a Polar Verity Sense optical heart rate sensor. Before walking, participants completed a 10-minute warm-up and stretching protocol for the upper and lower extremities.
Locations (1)
Hitit University Çorum Erol Olçok Training and Research Hospital
Çorum, Çorum, Turkey (Türkiye)