Physiological Cost Index of Walking Performance Over Treadmill and Synthetic Track in Post-COVID Patients

Abstract

Background A majority Covid patients discharged from the hospital suffered challenges with long-term complications such as fatigue shortness of breath and endurance. The energy demand increases in all the activities especially while walking. Data for identifying the efficiency of ambulation after COVID-19 infection is lacking. Objectives To identify the difference in the lsquoPhysiological Cost Indexrsquo of walking on the treadmill and on a synthetic track in individuals recovering from COVID-19.Methods A single-group repeated study design was adopted in which 11 COVID-19-recovered individuals participated following discharge from institutional care. The physiological cost index was estimated by walking on a synthetic track and treadmill. Medically stable adults discharged from Alvarsquos Health center following the diagnosis of COVID-19 were recruited for the study. The physiological cost index was measured in Alvas Fitmaxx Moodbidri Dakshina Kannada Karnataka.Results Walking speed heart rate and time taken were the variables measured and the physiological cost index was estimated from these variables. A significant P lt0.003 relationship between the physiological cost index of walking on a synthetic track and treadmill was established. The energy efficiency of walking on synthetic tracks was noted to be economical compared to treadmills.Conclusion Treadmill walking had no role in improving the physiological cost index of patients recovered from COVID-19 and hence any post-COVID outpatient rehabilitation is ideal to be performed on a synthetic track rather than on a treadmill. Future studies with larger sample sizes on various walking surfaces could validate the results of this present study.