Associations between Coronavirus and Immune Response, Cardiorespiratory Fitness Rehabilitation and Physical Activity: A Brief Report

COVID-19 has serious effects on cardiorespiratory capacity. In this sense, physical activity has been identified as beneficial in the treatment of cardiorespiratory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive benefits. To date, no study has been found on cardiorespiratory capacity and rehabilitation in patients cured after COVID-19. Thus, this brief report aims to relate the benefits of physical activity to cardiorespiratory function after COVID-19. It is important to know how different levels of physical activity can be related to the different symptoms of COVID-19. In view of this, the objectives of this brief report were to: (1) explore the theoretical associations between COVID-19 symptoms and physical activity; (2) compare the cardiorespiratory function of non-COVID-19 participants and post-COVID-19 patients; and (3) propose a physical activity program to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness of post-COVID-19 patients. Thus, we note that moderate-intensity physical activity (i.e., walking) has a greater beneficial effect on immune function, whereas vigorous activity (i.e., marathon running) tends to temporarily reduce immune function through an imbalance of cytokine types I and II in the hours and days after exercise. However, there is no consensus in the literature in this regard, since other investigations suggest that high-intensity training can also be beneficial, not causing clinically relevant immunosuppression. Physical activity has been shown to be beneficial in improving the clinical conditions most frequently associated with severe COVID-19. Thus, it is possible to infer that physically active individuals seem to be less exposed to the dangers of severe COVID-19 compared to non-active individuals through the benefits of physical activity in strengthening the immune system and fighting infections. The current study demonstrates that physical activity appears to be beneficial in improving the clinical conditions most often associated with severe COVID-19.This research was founded by the Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro and by national funds (FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) under the project UIBD/DTP/04045/2021.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A predictive model of perceived stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in university students Ecuadorians

The situation caused by the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mobility restriction implemented by governments worldwide had a significant impact on people's routines. Stressors are known to increase emotional imbalance, uncertainty, and frustration in the general population. This study explores the factors that predispose to the risk of perceived stress from COVID-19 and determines the underlying mediating mechanisms in the Ecuadorian population. The cross-sectional study an incidental non-probabilistic sample of n = 977 participating student volunteers from the four regions of the Republic of Ecuador (68.6% women and 31.4% men). Data on emotional regulation (ERQ), perceived stress (PSS), active procrastination (APS), diagnosis and symptoms related to COVID-19, social isolation, coexistence, and a sociodemographic questionnaire (biological sex, marital status, and age) were recruited. Statistical analysis was based on a structural equation model. The risk of suffering perceived stress in the COVID-19 pandemic was higher for single women who have lived longer in social isolation, have lived with more people, have poor emotional regulation and high rates of procrastination. This structural model is similar in all Ecuadorian regions χ 2 = 21.54 (p = 0.760), RMSEA = 0.001 (95%CI, 0.00-0.02), CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.999; SRMR = 0.020. Although our findings are consistent and revealing for the scientific community, the lack of discrimination of the data due to strict isolation measures, taken at different periods by the Ecuadorian government against positive cases of COVID-19, is discussed. The research was applied to the university population, it would be representative to extend the study to schools and colleges. We consider this work as a starting point for the creation of preventive models against perceived stress in the university environment in the event of health emergencies

A predictive model of perceived stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in university students Ecuadorians

Background and objectivesThe situation caused by the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mobility restriction implemented by governments worldwide had a significant impact on people’s routines. Stressors are known to increase emotional imbalance, uncertainty, and frustration in the general population. This study explores the factors that predispose to the risk of perceived stress from COVID-19 and determines the underlying mediating mechanisms in the Ecuadorian population.MethodThe cross-sectional study an incidental non-probabilistic sample of n = 977 participating student volunteers from the four regions of the Republic of Ecuador (68.6% women and 31.4% men). Data on emotional regulation (ERQ), perceived stress (PSS), active procrastination (APS), diagnosis and symptoms related to COVID-19, social isolation, coexistence, and a sociodemographic questionnaire (biological sex, marital status, and age) were recruited. Statistical analysis was based on a structural equation model.ResultsThe risk of suffering perceived stress in the COVID-19 pandemic was higher for single women who have lived longer in social isolation, have lived with more people, have poor emotional regulation and high rates of procrastination. This structural model is similar in all Ecuadorian regions χ2 = 21.54 (p = 0.760), RMSEA = 0.001 (95%CI, 0.00–0.02), CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.999; SRMR = 0.020.DiscussionAlthough our findings are consistent and revealing for the scientific community, the lack of discrimination of the data due to strict isolation measures, taken at different periods by the Ecuadorian government against positive cases of COVID-19, is discussed. The research was applied to the university population, it would be representative to extend the study to schools and colleges.ConclusionWe consider this work as a starting point for the creation of preventive models against perceived stress in the university environment in the event of health emergencies

COVID-19: Implications for Audiology Practice

Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and quickly became an international public health emergency. COVID-19 was declared a worldwide pandemic in March 2020 and has spread throughout the globe (Balkhair, 2020). COVID-19 manifests in the body in a myriad of ways, ranging from no symptoms at all to critical illness or death. COVID-19 infection can have long-lasting, widespread effects on the human body, including the auditory and vestibular systems. Despite preventative efforts, COVID-19 patients have presented to audiologists with complaints of hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Audiologists need to be aware of the reported auditory and vestibular effects of COVID-19 infection in order to best assess and manage this population. The purpose of this project is to identify the reported auditory and vestibular effects of COVID-19 to create an evidence-based recommended clinical protocol for audiologists for evaluating and treating patients affected by COVID-19. COVID-19 may be associated with sensorineural, sudden sensorineural, or conductive hearing losses, new or increased tinnitus, auditory processing difficulties, dizziness and nystagmus, and other vestibular pathologies. The audiometric or vestibular test battery performed on a COVID-19 patient is dependent on the patient’s chief complaint, onset of symptoms, and whether or not the patient is currently COVID-19 positive. As the literature continues to expand on the auditory and vestibular effects of COVID-19, audiologists need to stay informed on how to best meet the needs of current and recovered COVID-19 patients