Introduction: The present randomized, single-center, and single-blinded clinical trial tested the hypothesis that tele-supervised homebased exercise training (exercise) is an effective strategy for improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and functional capacity parameters in individuals who were hospitalized due to coronavirus disease 2019 . Methods: Thirty-two individuals (52 ± 10 yr; 17 were female) randomly assigned to exercise (n = 12) or control groups (n = 20) had their anthropometric (weight, body mass index), hemodynamic (brachial and central blood pressure), vascular (arterial stiffness), ventilatory (pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength), and functional parameters (handgrip strength, five-time sit to stand, timed up and go test, and 6-min walking test) assessed at baseline (30-45 d of hospital discharged) and after 12 wk of follow-up. Results: Both groups similarly increased ( P < 0.001) forced vital capacity (absolute and percent of predicted), forced expiratory volume in the first second (absolute and percent of predicted), and handgrip strength during follow-up. However, only the exercise group reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (−2.0 ± 0.6 m•s −1 , P = 0.048) and increased ( P < 0.05) resting oxygen saturation (1.9% ± 0.6%), mean inspiratory pressure (24.7 ± 7.1 cm H 2 O), mean expiratory pressure (20.3 ± 5.8 cm H 2 O), and percent of predicted mean expiratory pressure (14% ± 22%) during follow-up. No significant changes were found in any other variable during follow-up. Conclusions: Present findings suggest that tele-supervised home-based exercise training can be a potential adjunct therapeutic to rehabilitate individuals who were hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Objective The aim of this study was to identify determinants of endothelial dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute COVID‐19. Methods A total of 109 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients in noncritical status were cross‐sectionally studied. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, and medications) and BMI were assessed. Laboratory tests included serum hemoglobin, leukocytes, lymphocytes, platelets, C‐reactive protein, ferritin, D‐dimer, and creatinine. Physical status was evaluated using a handgrip dynamometer. Endothelial function was assessed noninvasively using the flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) method. Results The sample average age was 51 years, 51% of patients were male, and the most frequent comorbidity was obesity (62%). Univariate analysis showed association of lower FMD with higher BMI, hypertension, use of oral antihypertensive, higher blood levels of creatinine, and larger baseline artery diameter. After adjusting for confounders, the multivariate analysis showed BMI (95% CI: −0.26 to −0.11; p < 0.001) as the major factor associated with FMD. Other factors associated with FMD were baseline artery diameter (95% CI: −1.77 to −0.29; p = 0.007) and blood levels of creatinine (95% CI: −1.99 to −0.16; p = 0.022). Conclusions Increased BMI was the major factor associated with endothelial dysfunction in noncritically hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. This may explain one of the pathways in which obesity may increase the risk for severe COVID‐19.

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