New Study Reveals the Devastating Impact of Exercise on Long COVID Patients
For individuals suffering from long COVID, one of the most challenging symptoms is the difficulty with exercising. Pushing past their limits can lead to a devastating cycle of fatigue, which increases the risk of worsening their condition. This phenomenon, known as post-exertional malaise (PEM), is also a defining symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications sheds light on the underlying reasons behind this exhaustion experienced by long COVID patients after exercise.
The study, conducted by researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Center, aimed to understand the changes that occur in the bodies of long COVID patients after exercising. They recruited 25 young patients with long COVID who were experiencing a significant reduction in their work and social life due to the condition. These patients had to exhibit post-exertional malaise to participate in the study.
During the study, participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test, where they were asked to exercise until exhaustion. This triggered a bout of post-exertional malaise. Researchers took blood samples and performed muscle biopsies one week before and one day after the exercise test. The results were then compared to those of 21 healthy individuals matched for age and gender.
The findings of the study revealed several key changes in long COVID patients’ bodies after exercise. One significant difference was observed in the body’s ability to generate energy compared to healthy individuals. Long COVID patients exhibited lower levels of oxidative phosphorylation, a biochemical process that produces ATP, the molecule used by the body for energy. Additionally, there was a decrease in the activity of mitochondria, which are responsible for manufacturing ATP.
According to Rob Wüst, an exercise physiologist and co-author of the study, long COVID patients experience impaired mitochondrial function and metabolism after exercise. This can lead to a vicious cycle where overexertion results in a crash in their energy production.
Furthermore, the study found changes in the muscle composition of long COVID patients. They had a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are responsible for quick, explosive movements. These fibers fatigue quicker than slow-twitch muscle fibers, potentially explaining the fatigue experienced by patients.
In addition to energy system changes and muscle composition, the study also revealed evidence of muscle damage and impaired recovery in long COVID patients. In healthy individuals, exercise-induced muscle damage is repaired, leading to strength gains. However, in long COVID patients, this repair process is impaired, resulting in accumulated damage.
The study’s findings align with previous research conducted by Maureen Hanson, a molecular biologist at Cornell University. Her studies on long COVID and ME/CFS patients have shown an impaired ability to recover from exercise. Long COVID patients exhibited signs of muscle scarring, inflammation, and blood clots before and after exercise.
For individuals with post-exertional malaise, these findings emphasize the importance of pacing oneself and staying within energy limits to minimize crashes. Lucinda Bateman, a physician specializing in treating patients with ME/CFS and long COVID, highlights the significance of minimizing the severity and duration of post-exertional malaise.
While exercise is generally beneficial for individuals with various chronic diseases, long COVID patients experience unique challenges. Understanding the impact of exercise on their bodies can help healthcare professionals develop tailored strategies to manage their symptoms effectively.
