Abstract
Standardized exercise therapy programs in pulmonary rehabilitation have been
shown to improve physical performance and lung function parameters in post-acute
COVID-19 patients. However, it has not been investigated if these positive
effects are equally beneficial for both sexes. The purpose of this study was to
analyze outcomes of a pulmonary rehabilitation program with respect to sex
differences, in order to identify sex-specific pulmonary rehabilitation
requirements. Data of 233 post-acute COVID-19 patients (40.4% females)
were analyzed before and after a three-week standardized pulmonary
rehabilitation program. Lung function parameters were assessed using
body-plethysmography and functional exercise capacity was measured by the
Six-Minute Walk Test. At post-rehabilitation, females showed a significantly
smaller improvement in maximal inspiration capacity and forced expiratory volume
(F=5.86, ω2=.02; p<0.05) than males.
Exercise capacity improvements between men and women did not differ
statistically. Females made greater progress towards reference values of
exercise capacity (T(231)=−3.04; p<0.01) and forced
expiratory volume in the first second (T(231)=2.83; p<0.01) than
males. Sex differences in the improvement of lung function parameters seem to
exist and should be considered when personalizing standardized exercise
therapies in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Key words
exercise therapy - rehabilitation - sex characteristics - COVID-19 - respiratory function tests - six-minute walk test
