Effects Of 16 Weeks Of Multi-Professional Intervention On Body Composition, Physical Fitness, And Biomarkers In Overweight Survivors Of COVID-19 - A Clinical Trial

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a multi-professional intervention on body composition, physical fitness, and biomarkers in overweight COVID-19 survivors with different symptomatologies. METHODS: This study is an uncontrolled parallel-group clinical trial that included in final analysis 59 volunteers (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), divided into three groups according to SARS-CoV-2 symptomatology [mild group (n = 31), moderate group (n = 13) and severe group (n = 15). The volunters contracted COVID-19 between January/21 to September/21. The groups underwent a multi-professional program consisting of physical exercise, nutritional, and psychoeducation interventions for 16 weeks, and the volunteers performed anthropometric, body composition, physical fitness and biochemical tests in following moments (pre, after 8 and after 16 weeks of intervention). This study was registered in the Clinical Trials Registration Platform under number RBR-4mxg57b and in the Local Research Ethics Committee n. 4.546.726/2021. RESULTS: After the 8 weeks, the following results were observed: higher values for fat-free mass and musculoskeletal mass, as well as lower values for fat mass, body fat percentage, and abdominal circumference (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). For physical tests were observed after 8 weeks of intervention: higher values for maximal isometric handgrip strength, maximal lumbar-traction strength, arm flexion, strength-endurance abdominal repetitions, sit-to-stand test, peak oxygen consumption, and walked distance in 6-min walk test (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). For biochemical tests, a reduction of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and glycated hemoglobin after 8 weeks of intervention (for all comparisons). No significant differences were observed for 16 weeks of intervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 8 weeks of intervention promoted significant improvements in anthropometric, body composition, physical fitness tests, and a significant reduction in lipid profile glycated hemoglobin. After 16 weeks, the variables investigated in the present study were stabilized. Finally, the multi-professional intervention model promoted benefits for the post-COVID-19 patients, independently of the severity of symptoms. Cesumar Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation and Araucária Foundation.