Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41030648›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in rehabilitation sciences2025

Relationship between post-COVID-19 symptoms and daily physical activity.

Antonio Sarmento, Sandra Webber, Shelley Sargent, Brenda Tittlemier, Diana C Sanchez-Ramirez

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Antonio SarmentoDepartment of Respiratory Therapy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Sandra WebberDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Shelley SargentRehabilitation Physiotherapy Department, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Brenda TittlemierRehabilitation Physiotherapy Department, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
Diana C Sanchez-RamirezDepartment of Respiratory Therapy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Exertion-intolerant symptoms common in post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), often resembling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), challenge conventional rehabilitation and highlight the need for research into the poorly understood relationship between PCS symptoms and physical activity. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the longitudinal associations between PCS symptoms and physical activity (same and following day), while accounting for the presence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms. Additionally, to compare the characteristics and outcomes of PCS patients with and without ME/CFS symptoms. Methods: Adults with PCS participated in an in-person evaluation that included assessment of dyspnea (Borg scale), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), ME/CFS symptoms screening (DePaul Symptom Questionnaire), and functional capacity. Participants were also instructed to complete a daily PCS symptoms survey and wear a smartwatch for a week to track daily physical activity (step count). Results: Eighteen individuals with PCS (78% females, 51 ± 11 years) participated in the study, averaging 4,067 steps per day (95%CI 3,638-4,497) over 117 days of valid data. Individuals with ME/CFS symptoms ( Conclusion: Regardless of the presence of ME/CFS symptoms, dizziness was negatively associated with physical activity on both the same and following day in PCS individuals. Additionally, lower levels of fatigue and chest pain were linked to walking 5,000 steps or more the previous day. Impact: These results provide insights into the relationships between symptoms and daily physical activity in PCS, which can help tailor interventions and improve the management of this condition. This research also highlights the value of using wearable devices and smartphone apps to collect data for monitoring individuals with PCS over time.

Indexed as

physical activity, wearablespost COVID “long-haulers”post COVID symptomspost COVID syndrome

Identifiers

PMID41030648
PMCPMC12477147

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.