ArticlePulmonary medicine2026
Impact of Post-COVID Syndrome on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Psychological Well-Being, and Quality of Life in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Pulmonary medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
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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.
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1 citing paper in PubMed.
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6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPost-COVID syndrome (PCS) in adolescents, marked by persistent symptoms such as dyspnea and fatigue, remains poorly understood, particularly in those referred for exercise intolerance.
objectiveThe objective of this study is to describe the clinical presentation and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of adolescents with PCS and identify factors distinguishing those with normal versus reduced CRF. STUDY
designIn this cross-sectional study, 31 adolescents (90% female) with PCS underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), pulmonary function tests, and completed validated questionnaires assessing fatigue, depression, hyperventilation, physical activity, and quality of life (QoL). Patients were grouped by CRF status and compared.
resultsSymptoms were more prevalent than in general PCS literature, likely due to referral bias. Moderate depression risk was present in 35%, and 75% reported QoL impairment comparable with chronic conditions. Nearly half (48%) had reduced CRF. CRF was not associated with acute infection severity but correlated with orthostatism, reduced O₂ pulse, and increased static air trapping (p < 0.05). Preinfection physical activity was positively associated with CRF (p = 0.014), whereas postinfection activity levels were similar across groups.
conclusionPCS significantly impacts CRF, QoL, and psychological well-being in adolescents with exercise intolerance. Reduced CRF appears multifactorial, involving autonomic dysfunction, pulmonary limitations, and deconditioning. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive evaluation and targeted management strategies in this vulnerable population.
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