Comparison of Balance and Strength of Lower Limb Muscles Between two Groups of People With Covid-19 and Healthy Ones: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aims This study evaluated dynamic balance, quadriceps, and hamstring strength in individuals with Covid 19 compared with healthy control ones. Methods A total of 30 people were divided into two groups, including healthy people (n=15) and people with Covid-19. Dynamic balance was measured using the star excursion balance test. A dynamometer performed lower limb muscle strength measurements. An independent t-test was used to compare the two groups statistically. The significance level was considered 0.05. Results Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were similar in both groups (P>0.05). The results showed that the values of dynamic balance in the lateral (P=0.001), medial (P=0.001), and posterior medial (P=0.001) directions were significantly lower in the group with Covid-19 than that in the healthy group. Conclusion In general, the balance of people with Covid-19 was significantly lower than the healthy group. Decreased balance due to this disease can increase the risk of injury. There was no significant difference in lower limb muscle strength in patients with Covid-19 compared with healthy individuals. Perhaps more research is needed in the future to prove this better.