Effect of water-based vs. land-based exercise intervention (postCOVIDkids) on exercise capacity, fatigue and quality of life in children with post COVID-19 condition: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Evidence indicates that 1–66% of children continue to experience different symptoms after recovering from COVID-19. We conducted three-group, randomized controlled trial with children aged 10-12 years with post COVID-19 condition. Participants were randomized to AQUA, LAND or CONTROL groups. The AQUA and LAND training sessions were conducted twice a week for eight weeks. The primary outcomes were exercise capacity, measured using the modified Balke treadmill protocol, and fatigue, measured using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Questionnaire (CFSQ). The secondary outcome was health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured with the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) for children and for parents. Seventy-four of the 86 children completed the intervention and attended the post-intervention assessment. The absolute maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) values increased after both AQUA (p=0.001) and LAND (p=0.004) interventions. No significant differences were found for the degree of total fatigue and individual fatigue symptoms. A significant improvement was found in the PedsQL reported by the parents in the LAND group. In conclusion the applied eight-week water-based and land-based exercise training programs improved exercise capacity in children aged 10-12 years old with post COVID19 condition. The parents of the children in the training groups also noted an improvement in HRQoL.