Cognitive function and physical performance in young adults who had and had not experienced the COVID-19 infection

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study is to compare the cognitive function and physical performance of young adults who have experienced the COVID-19 infection with those who have not. Twenty-one participants who had experienced the COVID-19 infection and 21 non-COVID controls underwent a cognitive assessment (Digit Span Forward Test: DSF, and Stroop Colour and Word Test: SCWT) and physical performance test (six-minute walk test: 6MWT). The participants in the COVID-19 group tended to have lower cognitive and physical performance than those in the control group. However, the difference was not statistically significant (DSF: p = 0.59, SCWT- Word: p = 0.18, SCWT- Color: p = 0.73, SCWT-Colour – Word t: p = 0.14, and 6MWT: p = 0.54). The cognitive function and physical performance in post-COVID-19 young adults tended to be lower than non-COVID-19 participants but failed to reach statistical significance. Further studies, particularly involving large sample sizes, are required to confirm the effect of COVID-19 in young adults.