Assessment of Exercise Capacity in Post-COVID-19 Patients: How Is the Appropriate Test Chosen?

There is a wide range of sequelae affecting COVID-19 survivors, including impaired physical capacity. These sequelae can affect the quality of life and return to work of the active population. Therefore, one of the pillars of following-up is the evaluation of physical capacity, which can be assessed with field tests (such as the six-minute walk test, the one-minute standing test, the Chester step test, and the shuttle walking test) or laboratory tests (such as the cardiopulmonary exercise test). These tests can be performed in different contexts and have amply demonstrated their usefulness in the assessment of physical capacity both in post-COVID-19 patients and in other chronic respiratory, metabolic, cardiologic, or neurologic diseases. However, when traditional tests cannot be performed, physical function can be a good substitute, especially for assessing the effects of an intervention. For example, the Short Physical Performance Battery assessment and the Timed Up and Go assessment are widely accepted in older adults. Thus, the test should be chosen according to the characteristics of each subject.

Automated summary

COVID-19 survivors often experience various sequelae, including physical impairment, which can impact their quality of life and ability to return to work. Assessing physical capacity through field or laboratory tests has proven useful for evaluating post-COVID-19 patients and those with other chronic respiratory, metabolic, cardiac, or neurological diseases. When traditional tests are not feasible, assessing physical function can serve as a good alternative, particularly for evaluating intervention effects. Choosing the appropriate test should be based on the individual characteristics of each subject.