Low or Moderate Intensity Aerobic Training: Its Role in Clinical and Psychological Aspects of Community Dwelling COVID-19 Asymptomatic Older Adults With Sarcopenia Symptoms

Abstract Background: Sarcopenia is the major health concern and common consequence of COVID-19 in the aging population. Moreover, this clinical condition has not been considered in usual physical rehabilitation practice and nor its exercise protocol is well defined, which requires a meaningful study in this field.Objective: To find and compare the low and moderate intensity aerobic training protocols on clinical and psychological effects in community dwelling COVID-19 asymptomatic older adults with Sarcopenia symptoms. Methods: By using computer random table method the eligible participants were randomized into two groups. First group received low-intensity aerobic training (LAT; n = 38) and the second group received moderate-intensity aerobic training (MAT; n = 38) for 8 weeks. Clinical (muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance) and psychological (kinesiophobia and quality of life) measures were measured at baseline, at 4th week, 8th week and at 6 month follow up. Results: Baseline demographic and clinical attributes show homogenous presentation among the study groups (p>0.05). After eight weeks of different aerobic trainings, and at the end of 6 months follow up, the hand grip strength, -3.0 (CI 95% -4.16 to -1.83), chair stand test -2.7 (-3.29 to -2.10), physical performance -0.08 (-0.10 to -0.05), kinesiophobia, 4.2 (3.25 to 5.14), and quality of life -5.7 (-8.4 to -2.9) shows more improvement (p0.05).Conclusion: This study reports that low intensity aerobic training exercises improve the clinical (muscle strength and physical performance) and psychological (kinesiophobia and quality of life) aspects than moderate intensity aerobic training in COVID-19 asymptomatic older adults with Sarcopenia symptoms. At the same time both types of aerobic training exercises have negligible or little role in increasing the muscle quantity - cross sectional area.