Metabolic And Ventilatory Responses To Exercise In Young Adults Following Sars-cov-2 Infection

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) targets organ angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors and infection can lead to pulmonary and cardiovascular abnormalities. PURPOSE: To examine whether metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise were different in young adults who previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 compared with control participants. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis (n = 26) was performed between young adults that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the three-to-four weeks prior to data collection (CoV+: n = 13) and healthy control participants (CON: n = 13). Participants were matched according to sex, age, and BMI (CoV+: 7F, 21 ± 1 yr, 24.3 ± 3.0 kg·m-2; CON: 7F; 21 ± 2, 23.3 ± 3.5 kg·m-2; p > 0.05). Participants completed an incremental peak aerobic capacity test on a cycle ergometer. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory measurements were collected every minute using a metabolic cart. Data were compared at rest and during cycling at 60 W, 120 W, and at peak exercise. Values are expressed as mean ± SD. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between groups for relative or absolute peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) (CoV+: 35.6 ± 5.8 mL·kg-1·min-1, 2.64 ± 0.68 L·min-1; CON: 33.3 ± 6.5 mL·kg-1 ·min-1, 2.37 ± 0.68 L·min-1, respectively; p > 0.05). Heart rate expressed as absolute or as a percentage of age-predicted maximum values was not different between CoV+ and CON (p > 0.05). Minute ventilation (V̇E), tidal volume, and breathing frequency were similar between groups at each exercise intensity (p > 0.05). The ratio of V̇E to the volume of carbon dioxide produced (V̇E/V̇CO2) was not significantly different at any stage of exercise between groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, ratings of perceived exertion were similar at submaximal intensities (CoV+: 8.2 ± 1.8 60 W, 11.2 ± 2.1 120 W; CON: 8.2 ± 2.4 60 W, 11.2 ± 3.8 120 W; p > 0.05) and at V̇O2peak (CoV+: 16.4 ± 2.6; CON: 17.1 ± 2.0, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses during incremental exercise test were not different between young, healthy control participants and individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 three-to-four weeks prior. These data suggest that exercise after 3-4 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection does not alter physiological or perceptual responses in young adults.