Effects of exercise programs on cardiopulmonary function and signs and symptoms in patients with post-COVID-19 condition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1772741...

Published: 2026-03-17T00:00:00Z

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of exercise programs lasting at least 6 weeks in patients with a post-COVID-19 condition. It included 10 randomized controlled trials with 602 participants aged 18 to 70 years, where the average duration of the programs was 8.6 weeks (range, 6 to 16 weeks). Programs included aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, breathing exercise, thoracic mobility exercise, chest expansion, and respiratory muscle training, delivered at home, via telehealth, in-center, or combined. Compared with control groups (usual care or no structured exercise), exercise significantly improved exercise capacity (6-minute walk), lung function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s), dyspnea (modified Medical Research Council scale), physical pain, and health-related quality of life domains. The overall certainty of the evidence was medium to high. Exercise programs are associated with improved cardiopulmonary function, reduced dyspnea and pain, and better physical and health outcomes.