Field Test Approaches for Measuring Physical Performance in Youths After Mild COVID-19 Recovery

Background: This study aims to evaluate physical performance levels using a handgrip strength test, leg strength test, 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1-min STS), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and also to determine the correlation between the distance of a 6MWT, handgrip strength test, quadriceps muscle strength test, and 1-min STS in healthy youths and youths with recovery from mild Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: Forty-two youths were recruited in this study. The subjects were evaluated for their muscle strength using a handgrip strength test and leg strength test and evaluated for cardiorespiratory fitness using a 1-min STS and 6MWT. Results: Youths without COVID-19 had no significant difference in handgrip strength test, quadriceps muscle strength test, the number of repetitions of 1-min STS, and the distance of the 6MWT when compared with youths with recovery from mild COVID-19. In addition, the distance of the 6MWT was positively correlated with the handgrip strength test and quadriceps muscle strength test. Conclusions: The present study showed that physical performance levels using a hand grip strength test, leg strength test, 1-min STS, and 6MWT had no significant difference between youths with and without recovery from mild COVID-19.