Fatigue and Physical Activity in People after COVID-19 in Poland

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to look at the amount of fatigue and physical activity (PA) in individuals after COVID-19 in Poland and the correlation between fatigue and PA. Methods: The online research was carried out among adult Polish residents (122 women and 82 men) who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the previous year. The level of fatigue was measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). The PA level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: A total of 46.6% of the subjects had been ill with COVID-19 for more than 6 months before the time of the survey response. The MFIS total measure is 77 of the maximum score, and the median is 17. A total of 26% of respondents reported low activity, while 41% of respondents reported high activity. A statistically significant negative relationship was found between PA level and total fatigue score. The best scores for fatigue and PA were obtained by the subjects with mild COVID-19. The time since diagnosis (as opposed to older age and female sex) was not clearly associated with most measures. Conclusions: PA may play an important role in regulating the severity of fatigue; it should be increased, especially in patients after COVID. Further studies are also needed to investigate the mechanism of differences in fatigue and PA.

Automated summary

This research aimed to investigate the level of fatigue and physical activity in individuals after COVID-19 in Poland and to explore the correlation between fatigue and physical activity. The study found a significant negative relationship between the level of physical activity and total fatigue score. It suggests that physical activity may play an important role in regulating the severity of fatigue.