RESUMO
Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to a variety of persistent sequelae, collectively known as long COVID-19. Deficits in postural balance have been reported in patients several months after COVID-19 infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the static balance and balance of individuals with long COVID-19 using inertial sensors in smartphones. Methods: A total of 73 participants were included in this study, of which 41 had long COVID-19 and 32 served as controls. All participants in the long COVID-19 group reported physical complaints for at least 7 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants were evaluated using a built-in inertial sensor of a smartphone attached to the low back, which recorded inertial signals during a static balance and mobility task (timed up and go test). The parameters of static balance and mobility obtained from both groups were compared. Results: The groups were matched for age and BMI. Of the 41 participants in the long COVID-19 group, 22 reported balance impairment and 33 had impaired balance in the Sharpened Romberg test. Static balance assessment revealed that the long COVID-19 group had greater postural instability with both eyes open and closed than the control group. In the TUG test, the long COVID-19 group showed greater acceleration during the sit-to-stand transition compared to the control group. Conclusion: The smartphone was feasible to identify losses in the balance motor control and mobility of patients with long-lasting symptomatic COVID-19 even after several months or years. Attention to the balance impairment experienced by these patients could help prevent falls and improve their quality of life, and the use of the smartphone can expand this monitoring for a broader population.
RESUMO
Resumo Este estudo objetivou avaliar e classificar a capacidade física aeróbia (CFA) de atletas de basquetebol em cadeira de rodas (BCR). Foram avaliados 16 atletas de BCR (oito homens/oito mulheres), que tinham as seguintes características: idade (27,2 ± 7,4 anos); massa corporal (59,0 ± 13,5 kg); estatura (153,4 ± 21,3 cm); tempo de deficiência (20,3 ± 12,3 anos); tempo de prática esportiva (9,0 ± 6,9 anos). Todos passaram por avaliação antropométrica e da CFA por meio do teste de 12 minutos para cadeirantes. Após as análises, observou-se que o consumo máximo de oxigênio dos atletas foi de, em média, 36,0 ± 3,5 ml/kg/min. Na análise qualitativa, a maioria dos atletas (62,5%) apresentou classificação da CFA "Excelente" (p = 0,02). Logo, conclui-se que os atletas avaliados apresentaram CFA acima do esperado, a maioria teve a classificação "Excelente". Isso sugere que a prática regular de BCR produz adaptações sistêmicas importantes ao sistema cardiorrespiratório.
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate and classify the aerobic capacity (AC) of wheelchair basketball (WB) players. For that, 16 WB athletes (8 men / 8 women), which has the following characteristics: age (27.2 ± 7.4 years); body mass (59.0 ± 13.5 kg); Height (153.4 ± 21.3 cm); time of disability (20.3 ± 12.3 years); time of sports practice (9.0 ± 6.9 years). All of participants underwent for the anthropometric and AC variables assessment through the 12-minute aerobic test for wheelchair users. After the analysis, there was observed average maximal oxygen uptake of 36.0 ± 3.5 ml/kg/min. In the qualitative analysis, most of the athletes (62.5%) presented an "Excellent" AC classification (p = 0.02). Therefore, it is concluded that the athletes presented higher AC than expected, rated as "Excellent" for the most of these, suggesting that the regular practice of WB produces important systemic adaptations to the cardiorespiratory system.
Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y clasificar la capacidad aeróbica (CA) de jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas (BSR). Para ello, se evaluó a 16 atletas de BCR (8 hombres/8 mujeres), que presentaban las siguientes características: edad (27,2 ± 7,4 años); masa corporal (59,0 ± 13,5 kg); (153,4 ± 21,3 cm); tiempo de deficiencia (20,3 ± 12,3 años); tiempo de práctica deportiva (9,0 ± 6,9 años). Todos pasaron por la evaluación de las variables antropométricas y de la CA según la prueba aeróbica de 12 minutos en silla de ruedas. Después del análisis, se observó que la absorción máxima de oxígeno de los atletas fue, por término medio, de 36,01 ± 3,47 ml/kg/min. En el análisis cualitativo, la mayoría de los atletas (62,5%) presentaron una clasificación de la CA «excelente¼ (p = 0,02). Por tanto, se concluye que los atletas evaluados presentan una CA mayor de lo esperado y en la mayoría de ellos se clasifica como «excelente¼, lo que sugiere que la práctica regular de BSR tendrá importantes ajustes sistémicos en el sistema cardiorrespiratorio.
