Physical activity in post-COVID-19 condition: A cross-sectional study, 2026, Kopp et al.

SNT Gatchaman

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Staff member
Physical activity in post-COVID-19 condition: A cross-sectional study
Julia Kopp; Dara Corina Spies Rodriguez; Lisa Künzi; Milo A Puhan; Jan Sven Fehr; Thomas Radtke

BACKGROUND
Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a systemic disease which can negatively influence physical activity (PA). This study aimed to examine objectively measured PA and identify its factors in adults with PCC.

METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomised-controlled trial. PA was measured with accelerometry (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) over eight consecutive days. The primary outcome, mean 24-hour Euclidean Norm Minus One (ENMO), and the secondary outcome, the intensity gradient, were analysed using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for pre-defined covariates.

RESULTS
Among 153 participants, 141 (76.6% female, age range 18−80 years) had valid PA data and were included in the analysis. Median [IQR] time spent in moderate and vigorous PA was 45.9 [32.1–61.2] and 0.16 [0.04–0.6] minutes per day, respectively. The median ENMO was 9.03 [7.2–11.2], indicating low overall PA. In regression models, chronic symptomatic disease other than PCC (β = −1.77, 95% CI = −2.93 to −0.61) and fatigue (β = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.16) were associated with lower mean ENMO, while higher functional capacity was associated with higher mean ENMO (β = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.24). For the intensity gradient, higher education and functional capacity were associated with a more favourable gradient.

CONCLUSION
Presence of chronic symptomatic disease in addition to PCC, fatigue, functional capacity, and educational attainment were identified as factors of PA. These factors may be relevant for the development of therapeutic strategies to support physical activity; however, causal relationships cannot be inferred from the present study.

Web | DOI | PDF | PLOS ONE | Open Access
 
Functional capacity and severity of fatigue are further potentially modifiable factors of PA. In our regression analysis, greater functional capacity and less severe fatigue were associated with higher PA levels, suggesting that individuals with better functional reserves tend to be more active in daily life. Although causality cannot be inferred from our data, the findings suggest that regular PA is associated with lower symptom burden (i.e., fatigue) and better functional capacity. However, reverse causation and bidirectional relationships are also possible, as higher symptom burden may reduce PA.

Psst, it's that last one (and only the first part).

This is consistent with evidence from systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials [35] indicating that exercise-based interventions may improve functional capacity and symptoms among individuals with PCC [36].

You'll never guess which one 36 is.
 
Psst, it's that last one (and only the first part).



You'll never guess which one 36 is.
This is so disheartening.
It is 2026, 7 years into the pandemic.
Is it too much to ask that these researchers start to grasp the very basics before pumping out non-sensical papers?
Sigh, anyway!

It’s Professor Radtke‘s team from:



Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben, Zürich, Switzerland​




Previous Studies on Long Covid​

Based on Professor Radtke‘s publishing history:

Protocol completed in 2026 but I can‘t find the study (yet):

Effects of Pycnogenol® in people with post-COVID-19 condition (PYCNOVID): study protocol for a single-center, placebo controlled, quadruple-blind, randomized trial

About Professor Radtke‘s research team:
Looks like a credible organisation, with a commitment to doing and teaching good research methodology. They have a track record in a lot of research related to chronic conditions:
https://www.ebpi.uzh.ch/en/translational_research/chronic_conditions_health.html

They appear to run an MS registry. I don't know, but perhaps they would be a good partner to make an ME/CFS registry.
@Hutan, we might have to reassess the output quality of that group…

Measurement properties of the 30-second sit-to-stand test in post COVID-19 condition: Results from the PYCNOVID randomised controlled trial

Living with Long Covid: A Qualitative Analysis of Experiences, Coping Strategies & Care across the Illness Journey in Switzerland, 2026, Böhm, Radtke+

Long COVID in children and adolescents: results from three cross-sectional school-based cohorts with adjudication, 2025, Raineri, Radtke et al.

The next study is from a team from Basel with Radke as co-author:

Division of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland​

Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland​


Medium- to long-term health condition of patients post-COVID-19, exercise intolerance & potential mechanisms: A narrative review…, 2024, Schwendinger, Radtke
 
Back
Top Bottom