Dissociation Between Peripheral Muscle Strength and Exercise Capacity in Symptomatic Post‐COVID‐19 Individuals, 2026, Silva et al.

[Chandelier]

Dissociation Between Peripheral Muscle Strength and Exercise Capacity in Symptomatic Post‐COVID‐19 Individuals: Implications for Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Spoiler: Authors

Silva, Kaique Fernando Macedo da; Sczepanski, Felipe; Júnior, Vagner Pires de Campos; Brunnquell, Claudia

ABSTRACT​

Introduction​

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may result in persistent functional impairment after the acute phase of the disease.
Emerging evidence suggests that the presence and intensity of COVID-19–related symptoms may be associated with deficits in muscle strength and physical performance during the post-infection period.
Our objective was to compare physical performance after the acute phase of COVID-19 between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, focusing on exercise capacity and peripheral muscle strength.

Methods​

This cross-sectional, prospective study included 76 adults aged 18–77 years, registered in the Brazilian Unified Health System.
Participants were classified as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on clinical records.
Physical activity level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Physical performance was evaluated through handgrip strength and exercise capacity measured by the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT).
Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANOVA) and univariate analyses (ANCOVA) were performed, adjusted for age, sex, and physical activity level.

Results​

The presence of COVID-19–related symptoms was independently associated with lower handgrip strength (p = 0.0099) after adjustment for covariates.
No significant differences were observed in exercise capacity between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (p = 0.497).
Effect size analysis demonstrated a moderate association between symptom presence and peripheral muscle strength, whereas the association with exercise capacity was small.

Conclusion​

Symptomatic individuals after COVID-19 exhibited reduced peripheral muscle strength despite no significant differences in exercise capacity between the groups.
These findings underscore the relevance of handgrip strength assessment as a simple and sensitive tool for identifying residual functional impairment in post-COVID-19 follow-up.

Conflicts of Interest​

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.


Web | DOI | PDF | Musculoskeletal Care

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

These findings underscore the relevance of handgrip strength assessment as a simple and sensitive tool for identifying residual functional impairment in post-COVID-19 follow-up.

I think it is more that tests like this, as might be expected, fail to capture the real problem - which the study appears to have done spectacularly. The traditional medical approach was just to listen to what the patient says. Something that seems to have been lost.

 

[Sean]

The traditional medical approach was just to listen to what the patient says.

Problem with that approach is that they listen, but hear something completely different from what we say.

 

[Chandelier]

Problem with that approach is that they listen, but hear something completely different from what we say.

You need a diagnosis?
Pick your poison:
- a not-so reliable test
- a white coat whose

brain starts to turn off and go arrrghh

after the patient mentions 3+ symptoms.

There might be light at the end of the tunnel, though. A revival of common sense:

Georg Schomerus from Leipzig University Hospital said it was finally time to listen to those affected and learn from their experiences instead of distrusting their accounts.

 

[Turtle]

The worst part of having ME/CFS is being made into a liar specially by docs.
Not being believed even by your own next of kin is horrible.
I'm as honest as it gets. I can't lie and don't see the point in learning it,