Relationship between infection, physical and mental health and exercise habits of some Chinese residents after recovery from COVID-19

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the infection status, exercise habits, anxiety levels, and sleep quality in Chinese residents who recovered from infection during the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period. It also aimed to investigate the influencing factors of recovery status and aid in improving intervention measures for COVID-19 recovery. This study is a sub-study nested within a cross-sectional investigation of infection and physical and mental health among partially recovered residents in all 34 provincial areas of China during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1013 participants (374 males and 639 females) completed the study. Cardiopulmonary endurance was significantly lower after infection than before infection (p < 0.001). Women (3.92 ± 4.97) exhibited higher levels of anxiety than men (3.33 ± 4.54, p = 0.015). The sleep score was significantly higher after infection (8.27 ± 7.05) than before infection (4.17 ± 4.97, p < 0.001). The active and regular exercise groups exhibited significantly shorter durations of fever than the sedentary and irregular groups (p = 0.033; 0.021). Additionally, the active group demonstrated significantly fewer recovery days ([7.32 ± 3.24] days) than the sedentary group ([7.66 ± 3.06] days, p = 0.035). We found a correlation between age and the recovery time of symptoms after COVID-19. We noted that a greater number of symptoms corresponded to poorer cardiopulmonary fitness and sleep quality. Individuals who engage in sedentary lifestyles and irregular exercise regimens generally require prolonged recovery periods. Therefore, incorporating moderate exercise, psychological support, sleep hygiene and other health interventions into post-COVID-19 recovery measures is imperative.